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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Two Housing Crises
- There are two distinct housing affordability problems in the US.
- One affects low-income families struggling to afford basic housing due to low incomes, while the other affects middle-income families in expensive areas where housing supply is constricted.
Housing Assistance Not Entitled
- Unlike food stamps, housing assistance is not an entitlement in the US.
- This means a limited budget exists, and not everyone who qualifies receives aid, leading to housing insecurity.
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.
