The Daily

The Rise of the Single-Family Home

Oct 11, 2022

In this discussion, Conor Dougherty, an economics reporter at The New York Times and author of "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America," explores California's escalating housing crisis. He highlights the challenges residents face as they navigate soaring prices and restrictive zoning laws. Through the story of a specific San Diego home, Dougherty illustrates broader issues and the clash over housing policies. He also examines innovative solutions like accessory dwelling units and the emotional complexities tied to transforming neighborhoods.

34:29

Creator website

Episode guests

Conor Dougherty

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Housing Dream: A California Story

17min

The Clash Over Housing Policy in California

4min

Transforming Spaces: ADUs and California's Housing Crisis

11min

Housing Policy and Geopolitical Tensions

4min

To tackle its critical shortage of affordable housing, California has taken aim at a central tenet of the American dream: the single-family home.

Telling the story of one such property, in San Diego, can teach us about the larger housing crisis and how we might solve it.

Guest: Conor Dougherty, an economics reporter at The New York Times and author of “Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America.”

Background reading:

The transformation of 5120 Baxter Street in San Diego is a projection of California’s tighter, taller future.
NIMBYs, referring to residents who fight nearby development — especially anything involving apartments — are often blamed for worsening the housing crisis.

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