The Gray Area with Sean Illing Matt Yglesias and Jenny Schuetz solve the housing crisis
May 20, 2019
Matt Yglesias, co-host of "The Weeds" and a keen observer of economic trends, teams up with Jenny Schuetz, a Brookings Institution fellow specializing in housing policy. They tackle the housing crisis by exploring the failures of existing policies, the impact of zoning reform, and the dual affordability issues facing low-income families and the middle-class. Their conversation delves into the benefits of urban density for sustainability, critiques of rent control, and innovative solutions like legalizing housing development to promote affordability.
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Exodus from Expensive Areas
- High housing costs, not inherent dislike, drive people out of areas like California.
- High amenities and plentiful job opportunities increase demand but make those areas unaffordable.
DC Development Misconception
- Visible construction in city centers doesn't negate the housing shortage.
- Development is often concentrated, while vast areas remain zoned for single-family homes, limiting overall housing supply.
Transit and Housing Density
- Investing in public transit alone doesn't solve transportation problems.
- Housing density near transit stations is crucial for maximizing ridership and reducing traffic congestion.
