The hottest Housing policy Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

Can a Graphic Novel Change Housing Policy?

Bet On It • 80 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Housing policy
  1. Graphic novels can influence important topics like housing policy. They make complex ideas easier to understand with visuals.
  2. Lower housing costs often get overlooked because people focus on less important concerns. It's important to address what truly matters.
  3. Using engaging media like podcasts can help share and discuss these ideas effectively with a wider audience.

What Homes Are Missing (by Tenure)?

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Many families are moving from cities with low homeownership to suburbs where buying homes is easier. This shift is due to different housing policies in urban areas that limit new building.
  2. There is a significant shortage of homes, estimated to be around 10 million units. This shortage is partly caused by barriers to mortgage access and the decline in new home construction.
  3. The market for rental homes is expected to grow because of the high demand for housing. However, local rules and costs may prevent enough new homes from being built to meet this demand.

Liberty and the City

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 21 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Buenos Aires saw a 40% drop in rental prices, but this is misleading. While rents did decrease, it overlooks the complex issues surrounding the housing market and affordability.
  2. Rent control that was in place for years caused past rent increases and a drop in rental supply, leading to informal rental markets. Removing this control helped stabilize the market, but issues of affordability remain due to low wages.
  3. Home buying in Argentina is difficult because mortgages are rare and expensive. The lack of a developed credit system and high inflation means many people can't afford to buy a home, leading to a housing shortage.

June 2025 Residential Home Sales

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💰 Finance Housing policy
  1. Home sales have been flat and inventory has been rising for about 8 years. This long trend can be surprising and hard to understand.
  2. Looking closely at housing data requires careful interpretation; many factors like COVID can distort the view.
  3. Understanding the housing market involves recognizing patterns that might not change quickly, which can be frustrating for those expecting quick shifts.

What’s next for New York’s historic preservation movement?

Urben Field Notes • 54 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. New York has a strong historic preservation law that protects many buildings, but it can also make it hard to build new homes in desirable areas. This creates a tough balance between keeping history and making space for more people.
  2. Some new development plans, like the SoHo rezoning, try to add more housing while keeping important historic buildings safe, which could help both residents and the city's character.
  3. There are better ways to work with historic buildings so new structures can fit in without getting in the way of preserving important parts of the city's history. It's about finding a middle ground where old and new can coexist.
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1.73 million Total Housing Completions in 2024 including Manufactured Homes; Most Since 2006

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Housing policy
  1. In 2024, there were 1.73 million housing completions, which is the highest since 2006. This means more homes are now finished and ready for people.
  2. Completions increased by 12.5% compared to the previous year. This is a good sign for the housing market as more homes are being built.
  3. Even without counting manufactured homes, there were still around 1.63 million completions in 2024. This shows a strong upward trend in housing development.

Build housing in S.F.'s Presidio? It's not as crazy as it sounds.

Urben Field Notes • 48 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Building housing in San Francisco's Presidio is a feasible idea. There is space available that won't harm nature or historic sites.
  2. A new model of social housing could work well in the Presidio. This means creating affordable homes by mixing different income levels in one area.
  3. People should discuss how much new development is right for the Presidio. Finding a balance between more housing and keeping the area beautiful is important.

The prophet of parking

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 30 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Donald Shoup changed how we think about parking, showing that it's too cheap and needs proper pricing to avoid problems like congestion. This change affects where we live and how our cities are planned.
  2. Minimum parking requirements can lead to unnecessary costs and too much parking being built, which wrecks city layouts and makes housing more expensive. Eliminating these requirements can help allow for better city designs.
  3. Shoup's approach includes using money from parking fees to improve local areas, gaining community support for pricing parking. His work has sparked a global movement for parking reform.

Gentrification as a housing problem

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Gentrification happens when higher-income people move into a neighborhood, often pushing out lower-income residents. Better housing supply can help absorb new residents without causing displacement.
  2. Rent controls might help keep some people in their homes temporarily, but they often lead to poorer living conditions and can worsen housing affordability in the long run.
  3. To balance gentrification's impacts, creating more housing options and including community voices in development decisions can make neighborhoods better for both newcomers and existing residents.

Housing Starts Increased to 1.428 million Annual Rate in July

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
💰 Finance Housing policy
  1. Housing starts rose to an annual rate of 1.428 million in July, which is good news for the housing market. It's a 5.2% increase from the previous month and 12.9% higher than last year.
  2. Single-family housing starts also grew, with a rate of 939,000 in July, up 2.8% from June. This shows that people are actively building homes.
  3. Multi-family housing starts have seen even bigger growth, with a 24.1% increase year-over-year. This indicates a strong demand for apartment buildings and larger housing units.

A Public Comment in Alexandria

Cornerstone • 19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. The importance of transit-oriented development in addressing housing needs and housing policy challenges in regions like Alexandria.
  2. Advocacy for zoning reforms and the need to view each other positively and collaboratively in solving the housing crisis.
  3. Engagement in community planning and promoting diverse housing options to create inclusive, thriving neighborhoods.

Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-December 2024

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 33 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💰 Finance Housing policy
  1. New home listings rose slightly by 2% in November compared to last year, but they are still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
  2. The increase in listings was fueled by lower mortgage rates, but higher rates are now reducing new sellers coming into the market.
  3. December and January are typically slow months for new home listings, so we can expect fewer homes to be listed in the near future.

Dallas vs. Austin: Brief Clarification

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Dallas and Austin are two different cities with their own unique characteristics. It's good to know what sets them apart when considering living or investing there.
  2. Understanding the housing market in both cities can help you make better decisions. Each area has different trends and demands.
  3. Comparing these cities can provide insights into job opportunities and lifestyle options. It’s important to think about what matters most to you.

Why housing shortages cause homelessness

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Housing shortages and high costs make it harder for families and friends to offer shelter to those in need. When prices rise, there's less space available for people to stay with loved ones.
  2. Many individuals avoid homelessness by living with family or friends, especially in places with lower housing costs. This support network plays a key role in keeping vulnerable people off the streets.
  3. Solutions to homelessness should focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing. Better housing options help families support one another and prevent individuals from slipping into homelessness.

Well, We've Got a New Dumbest Article I've Ever Read

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. New Urbanism aims to create community-oriented spaces by promoting walkability and reducing car dependency. It wants to offer people choices in how they live, not just stick them in cars to get everywhere.
  2. The suburbs provide safety and an ideal home for families, but there are also options for urban living that can be affordable and community-focused. Both need to coexist to cater to different people's needs.
  3. Zoning laws and development policies must be reformed to make housing more affordable and accessible. This way, everyone can find a place that suits their lifestyle without facing unnecessary barriers.

How Did Blocking Stuff Become Left-Coded?

I Might Be Wrong • 14 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Many people feel frustrated with the slow processes that delay housing and infrastructure projects. They want things to move faster so that communities can improve.
  2. There's a concern that building new housing might change the character of some neighborhoods. People worry about gentrification and displacing existing residents.
  3. More housing could help make neglected areas more livable. It could also lower rents and improve safety instead of letting decay continue in those neighborhoods.

Democrats Have an Opening on Housing

I Might Be Wrong • 6 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Democrats need to focus on real issues that matter to people, like the challenges of daily life. Voters want solutions that help them achieve their goals.
  2. Messages that resonate include addressing high costs and job dissatisfaction. It's important for politicians to connect with what people are really experiencing.
  3. Being honest and genuine in messaging can be a good strategy. If a message is true and addresses real concerns, it can be more effective.

Maui’s Post-Wildfire Housing Crisis Offers a Warning for Los Angeles 🌴 🔥

Hothouse // Solutions • 3 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Housing policy
  1. After wildfires, many people in Maui ended up homeless and rents spiked by a lot. This situation could happen in Los Angeles if strong renter protections aren't put in place.
  2. In Maui, some landlords took advantage of the disaster by raising rents or evicting tenants to bring in higher-paying renters. This hurt those who were already struggling after losing their homes.
  3. Los Angeles leaders are under pressure to protect renters now. Activists are keeping track of price-gouging, but it's unclear if officials can enforce laws to help tenants.

The Price of Delay

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. Housing regulations slow down construction and make planning harder for developers. This uncertainty discourages them from investing in new buildings.
  2. A new study shows if we reduce approval wait times, it could lead to significantly more housing being built. However, there are questions about how realistic these estimates are.
  3. Clearer regulations could make a big difference in housing supply. Countries with more straightforward building laws tend to have better housing outcomes.

An insider's guide to NYC's quirky rental laws

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy
  1. In NYC, many leases require you to cover 80% of your floor with carpet to keep noise levels down. This helps prevent annoying sounds from neighbors above.
  2. Landlords in NYC must provide heat and hot water at specific temperatures, making sure your apartment stays warm in winter. This is stricter than in many other places, like London.
  3. Tenants in NYC often pay broker fees that can be between 8-15% of their annual rent, unlike in places like the UK where landlords typically cover these fees.