jar546
CBO
America's housing crisis is a complex issue with deep historical roots. To understand the current situation and find viable solutions, we must explore the history of zoning laws, the emphasis on car-centric development, and the consequences of urban sprawl.
In the 1910s, U.S. cities began implementing zoning laws to regulate land use. These laws separated residential areas from industrial ones to protect home values and neighborhood character. After World War II, single-family zoning laws expanded, promoting the suburban dream of owning a home with a front porch and backyard. The Supreme Court played a significant role in shaping these policies. In 1917, the Court banned race-based zoning, and in 1926, it upheld single-family zoning, legitimizing the exclusion of higher-density housing and reinforcing neighborhood homogeneity.
Single-family zoning laws limited housing supply, increased property values, and segregated communities by race and class. Today, about 75% of land zoned for housing in American cities is reserved for single-family homes, stifling the development of affordable housing options like apartments and duplexes.
The post-war suburban boom was facilitated by the expansion of the highway system and a car-centric culture. Suburban developments prioritized single-family homes with ample space for cars, leading to widespread urban sprawl. This type of development required extensive road networks, utilities, and services spread over large areas, increasing infrastructure costs. Public transportation systems were often underfunded and underdeveloped, making cars essential for daily commutes and errands.
Urban sprawl, which refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the countryside, has significant costs. Sprawling developments are costly to maintain due to the extensive infrastructure required. They also contribute to environmental degradation, increased traffic congestion, and a higher dependency on cars. In contrast, dense development focuses on building upwards and creating multi-family housing units in compact urban areas. This approach reduces infrastructure costs, supports efficient public transportation, and fosters vibrant, walkable communities. Dense development can also make housing more affordable by increasing supply and reducing per-unit land costs.
Modern efforts to reform zoning laws are showing promise. Cities like Minneapolis and states like Oregon and California are leading the way by allowing multi-family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and denser housing near transit lines. These reforms have increased the housing supply and stabilized rents. For example, Minneapolis saw a 12% increase in its housing stock from 2017 to 2022, primarily through the construction of midsize apartment buildings.
Investing in public transportation is another crucial step. America's car-centric culture has led to underinvestment in public transportation. Many cities lack robust transit systems, making car ownership a necessity. By investing in public transportation, we can reduce reliance on cars, lower infrastructure costs, and promote more sustainable urban growth. Cities with efficient public transit, like New York and San Francisco, offer valuable lessons in integrating dense development with accessible transportation options.
To address America's housing crisis, policymakers must learn from historical zoning practices and prioritize sustainable, dense development. Reforming zoning laws to allow diverse housing types and investing in public transportation are crucial steps toward creating affordable, inclusive, and vibrant communities. By shifting away from car-centric development and embracing denser urban growth, America can build a future that meets the housing needs of its population while fostering environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
In the 1910s, U.S. cities began implementing zoning laws to regulate land use. These laws separated residential areas from industrial ones to protect home values and neighborhood character. After World War II, single-family zoning laws expanded, promoting the suburban dream of owning a home with a front porch and backyard. The Supreme Court played a significant role in shaping these policies. In 1917, the Court banned race-based zoning, and in 1926, it upheld single-family zoning, legitimizing the exclusion of higher-density housing and reinforcing neighborhood homogeneity.
Single-family zoning laws limited housing supply, increased property values, and segregated communities by race and class. Today, about 75% of land zoned for housing in American cities is reserved for single-family homes, stifling the development of affordable housing options like apartments and duplexes.
The post-war suburban boom was facilitated by the expansion of the highway system and a car-centric culture. Suburban developments prioritized single-family homes with ample space for cars, leading to widespread urban sprawl. This type of development required extensive road networks, utilities, and services spread over large areas, increasing infrastructure costs. Public transportation systems were often underfunded and underdeveloped, making cars essential for daily commutes and errands.
Urban sprawl, which refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the countryside, has significant costs. Sprawling developments are costly to maintain due to the extensive infrastructure required. They also contribute to environmental degradation, increased traffic congestion, and a higher dependency on cars. In contrast, dense development focuses on building upwards and creating multi-family housing units in compact urban areas. This approach reduces infrastructure costs, supports efficient public transportation, and fosters vibrant, walkable communities. Dense development can also make housing more affordable by increasing supply and reducing per-unit land costs.
Modern efforts to reform zoning laws are showing promise. Cities like Minneapolis and states like Oregon and California are leading the way by allowing multi-family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and denser housing near transit lines. These reforms have increased the housing supply and stabilized rents. For example, Minneapolis saw a 12% increase in its housing stock from 2017 to 2022, primarily through the construction of midsize apartment buildings.
Investing in public transportation is another crucial step. America's car-centric culture has led to underinvestment in public transportation. Many cities lack robust transit systems, making car ownership a necessity. By investing in public transportation, we can reduce reliance on cars, lower infrastructure costs, and promote more sustainable urban growth. Cities with efficient public transit, like New York and San Francisco, offer valuable lessons in integrating dense development with accessible transportation options.
To address America's housing crisis, policymakers must learn from historical zoning practices and prioritize sustainable, dense development. Reforming zoning laws to allow diverse housing types and investing in public transportation are crucial steps toward creating affordable, inclusive, and vibrant communities. By shifting away from car-centric development and embracing denser urban growth, America can build a future that meets the housing needs of its population while fostering environmental sustainability and economic resilience.