Emily Hamilton

Emily Hamilton, Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center, dives into the pressing housing crisis in America. She argues for reduced government intervention in zoning and building codes, citing how these regulations inflate construction costs. Hamilton contrasts housing dynamics in Texas and California, discussing the challenge of increasing density amid local opposition. She emphasizes the importance of transparent land use regulations and advocates for legislative strategies that address high housing costs while balancing health, safety, and neighborhood character.

Emily Hamilton, a researcher from the Mercatus Center, dives deep into inclusionary zoning and its effects on affordable housing. She discusses how inclusionary zoning aims to integrate neighborhoods but ironically depends on exclusionary zoning's existence. The conversation highlights challenges in addressing racial and income segregation while evaluating the effectiveness of such policies in cities like D.C. and Baltimore. Hamilton critiques reliance on private solutions for housing and proposes rethinking current strategies to enhance community benefits.