"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg How We Build More Housing with Brad Hargreaves
6 snips
Mar 5, 2024 
Brad Hargreaves, founder of Common and co-founder of General Assembly, dives into the intricacies of America's housing market. He discusses the impact of regulations on housing development and the rise of the YIMBY movement aiming for change. Hargreaves highlights challenges from zoning laws and financing for small developers, as well as innovative urban projects like California Forever. The conversation touches on cultural narratives around urban development and emphasizes the need for affordable housing to enhance community wealth and accessibility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
2008 Financial Crisis
- Real estate debt caused the 2008 financial crisis due to bundled real estate bonds.
- These bonds were falsely marketed as low-risk, but the risks materialized during the downturn.
Housing and Business Cycles
- Real estate has historically been the biggest driver of business cycles.
- Since 2008, housing has played a smaller role, leading to a supply shortage.
Lending Ecosystem Changes
- Increased regulatory scrutiny on lenders after 2008 makes it harder for small developers to get loans.
- The number of banks has decreased since 1985, and the remaining ones face more regulations.
