James Burling: The Hidden Story of America’s Housing Crisis
Aug 12, 2024
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James Burling, a representative from the Pacific Legal Foundation and author of "Nowhere to Live," addresses the hidden dynamics of America’s housing crisis. He discusses the detrimental effects of government overreach on property rights and housing supply. Burling sheds light on the myths surrounding smart cities and the complexities of housing affordability, emphasizing systemic inequalities. He critiques rent control's unintended consequences and philosophically underscores the importance of private property for individual freedom and effective urban planning.
Government overreach and strict zoning laws significantly limit housing supply, exacerbating affordability issues for working-class families in America.
The historical roots of zoning laws reveal a legacy of racial and economic segregation that continues to impact housing accessibility today.
Deep dives
The Housing Crisis Uncovered
The podcast addresses the pressing issue of housing affordability in America, highlighting how many families, particularly those of the working class, struggle to find decent housing. It emphasizes that the divide is increasingly pronounced, with a stark contrast between those who own homes and those who do not. The speaker notes that even hard-working individuals with stable jobs find it nearly impossible to buy homes comparable to what previous generations could afford. Rising rental costs further exacerbate the problem, primarily due to limited housing supply caused by strict regulatory barriers and zoning laws.
Historical Context of Zoning Laws
The discussion explores the historical roots of zoning laws in America, tracing back to their origins in the early 1900s, which were often racially motivated. These laws initially aimed to segregate communities based on race, preventing minorities from accessing certain neighborhoods. As zoning evolved, it shifted to economic zoning, which similarly restricted access for low-income individuals and working-class families, effectively dictating where they could live. This historical context sheds light on the regulatory environment that continues to hinder housing development today.
Regulatory Overreach and Its Consequences
The podcast details how extensive regulations and environmental laws contribute significantly to the rising costs of housing. Mandates for solar panels on new constructions and exorbitant fees for various public services inflate the price of new homes, pushing them further out of reach for average buyers. Additionally, the lengthy legal battles and bureaucratic red tape associated with property development often delay projects for years, resulting in increased costs passed on to consumers. The discussion calls for a reevaluation of government roles in housing development, advocating for reduced intervention to alleviate the crisis.
James Burling of the Pacific Legal Foundation discusses his new book "Nowhere to Live: The Hidden Story of America’s Housing Crisis". Government overreach is preventing people from using property in the way they would like to use it and limiting the supply of housing through all manner of restrictions (e.g. zoning, environment). He comments on this idea of resilient or smart cities and he's optimistic in the battle for less government control over housing.
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Geopolitics & Empire · James Burling: The Hidden Story of America's Housing Crisis #454
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Websites
Nowhere to Live https://nowheretolive.org
Pacific Legal https://pacificlegal.org
She Underpaid a Property Tax Bill. So the Government Seized Her Home, Sold It—and Kept the $102,636 Profit. https://reason.com/2024/07/26/she-underpaid-a-property-tax-bill-so-the-government-seized-her-home-sold-it-and-kept-the-102636-profit
About James Burling
James S. Burling has been a property rights attorney for over 40 years at Pacific Legal Foundation, a national public interest law firm that defends Americans from government overreach and abuse. In 2001 he won a major Supreme Court case, Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, which affirmed that rights in regulated property do not disappear when land is bought and sold. In 2022 he was awarded the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Prize at the William & Mary College of Law. He lives in Orangevale, California.
*Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)
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