UCLA Housing Voice

Eleanor West, a research associate at the University of Auckland Economic Policy Centre, shares her expertise on New Zealand's ambitious zoning reforms. She delves into the political, social, and economic factors enabling these changes, particularly in Auckland. The podcast highlights lessons from New Zealand's unique approach to urban planning, contrasting it with U.S. policies. West discusses the balance between livability and density, nonpartisan collaboration for reform, and Auckland's potential as a global model for effective housing solutions.

Inclusionary zoning policies are commonly used to produce affordable housing and “social mix” in the U.S., but what about in Europe, where public housing and strong social welfare programs have historically met those needs? Anna Granath Hansson shares research on emerging inclusionary housing policies in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.Show notes:Granath Hansson, A., Sørensen, J., Nordahl, B. I., & Tophøj Sørensen, M. (2024). Contrasting inclusionary housing initiatives in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway: how the past shapes the present. Housing Studies, 1-22.Previous episodes on inclusionary housing/inclusionary zoning:Episode 77: Upzoning With Strings Attached with Jacob Krimmel and Maxence ValentinEpisode 31: Inclusionary Zoning with Emily HamiltonEpisode 79: Who Pays For Inclusionary Zoning with Shane PhillipsMore information on the EU court case about Denmark’s “ghetto law.”Sightline article on Portland’s fully-funded affordability mandate.

Shane Phillips, a housing policy expert from UCLA, is joined by Mike Lenz, a former public policy professor at USC. They dive deep into the complexities of inclusionary zoning (IZ) in Los Angeles, challenging conventional beliefs about who bears its costs. Rather than developers, they argue all renters share the burden. Insights from a development simulator reveal potential impacts on housing production. The duo also reflects on the nuances of research data and the need for localized policy changes to truly address the affordable housing crisis.

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.

Evan Mast, a researcher focused on the impact of market-rate housing on low-income markets, shares his insights on neighborhood dynamics. He discusses how new developments can ease rent pressures, challenging the notion that they always lead to gentrification. The conversation dives into migration patterns, highlighting how new housing can lead to lower rents elsewhere. Mast emphasizes the importance of accurate rent data and the nuanced effects of these developments on local communities, urging policymakers to consider context in housing initiatives.

Anthony Orlando, a researcher specializing in building height and urban construction expenses, dives into the intricacies of housing affordability. He explains why taller buildings don’t necessarily lead to lower costs and highlights the crucial thresholds where expenses spike. Orlando also discusses the significance of regional building codes and the challenges developers face in multifamily construction. He underscores the need for a shift in urban investment strategies to effectively tackle modern housing issues, showcasing Seattle as a compelling case study.

Jacob Krimmel, a zoning researcher, and economist Maxence Valentin dive into the complexities of upzoning and its effects on affordable housing. They discuss Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability program, revealing unintended consequences like rising land values and imbalanced community benefits. The pair highlights the 'grand bargain' concept, emphasizing the need for collaborative housing policies that align developer incentives with public needs. With insights from urban planning, they illustrate the delicate balance required in navigating the dynamics of housing reform.

When the demand for housing rises, which kinds of neighborhoods respond by building more homes, and which just get more expensive? Nathaniel Baum-Snow joins to discuss his research on the different responses of urban, suburban, and exurban neighborhoods, and the many forms “supply” can take.Show notes:Baum-Snow, N., & Han, L. (2024). The Microgeography of Housing Supply. Journal of Political Economy, 132(6), 1897-1946.Alameldin, M., & Karlinsky, S. 2024). Construction Defect Liability in California: How Reform Could Increase Affordable Homeownership Opportunities. UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation.Saiz, A. (2010). The Geographic Determinants of Housing Supply. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 125(3), 1253-1296.UCLA Lewis Center research on housing demolition and redevelopment trends in Los Angeles.

We often talk about residential segregation by race or income, but we rarely explore it in the literal sense — as in segregation of residences: of one kind of housing from another. Ann Owens joins to discuss her research on how segregation manifests itself in our built environment in cities and neighborhoods across the U.S.Show notes:Owens, A. (2019). Building inequality: Housing segregation and income segregation. Sociological Science, 6, 497.Rich, P., & Owens, A. (2023). Neighborhood–School structures: A new approach to the joint study of social contexts. Annual review of sociology, 49(1), 297-317.Check out the interactive segregation map and data tool created by Ann and the rest of the Segregation Explorer team.And check out Propinquity, the site created by Andre Comandon and Paavo comparing segregation in cities across a dozen countries.Lens, M. C., & Monkkonen, P. (2016). Do strict land use regulations make metropolitan areas more segregated by income? Journal of the American Planning Association, 82(1), 6-21.Kain, J. F., & Quigley, J. M. (1972). Note on owner's estimate of housing value. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 67(340), 803-806.Andre Comandon’s dissertation, “Ethnoracial Diversification at the Edges of Exclusion.”Owens, A., & Smith, R. B. (2023). Producing affordable housing in higher-opportunity neighborhoods: Incentives in California’s LIHTC program. Journal of Urban Affairs, 1-29.

Black households make up a disproportionate share of rent assistance recipients. Andrew Fenelon discusses how a “two-tiered approach to housing support" favoring white homeowners helped create the disparity.Show notes:Fenelon, A. (2024). Race, housing policy, and the demographic and spatial structure of modern housing programs: Who receives rental assistance and where do they live? Journal of Urban Affairs, 46(5), 944-961.Streets.MN article about the Bryant Avenue Bike Path (with photos).Episode 17 of UCLA Housing Voice, discussing housing vouchers with Rob Collinson.Episode 37 of UCLA Housing Voice, discussing public housing with Akira Drake Rodriguez.Tax Policy Center analysis of the costs of U.S. homeownership assistance programs.