Issues, Etc. Fertility and Family-Friendly Housing – Lyman Stone, 11/7/25 (3112)
Nov 7, 2025
Lyman Stone, a PhD candidate in population dynamics and Director of Research at Demographic Intelligence, dives deep into the connections between housing and family formation. He discusses the impact of rising housing prices and the decline of family-friendly apartments. Stone reveals that smaller living spaces correlate with lower fertility rates and emphasizes what families genuinely want in homes. He also critiques existing policies and proposes reforms to encourage the construction of larger units, advocating for the Road to Housing Act as a crucial step for supporting families.
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Housing Shift Fuels Family Shortage
- U.S. housing supply shifted toward small apartments and away from family-suitable homes over recent decades.
- That shift produces housing that acts as a holding tank for singles rather than enabling family formation.
Family Temporarily Doubled Up While House Hunting
- Todd describes his daughter and grandchildren temporarily living with him while house-hunting, illustrating affordability strains.
- Lyman confirms that expensive starter homes and scarce family-sized housing are typical across the U.S.
Apartment Size Correlates With Fertility
- Apartment size correlates with fertility: people in very small units have fewer children even when partnered.
- Smaller homes likely constrain family growth because families need extra rooms and activity space.