3 ms·
> The problem here is that you can't really build "affordable housing" any more than you can build "affordable cars" Of course you can. Ever been inside a comm
by rory 5y ago
> The problem here is that you can't really build "affordable housing" any more than you can build "affordable cars"
Of course you can. Ever been inside a commieblock in a former Soviet Union country? They're actually pretty sustainable and efficient, and were relatively cheap to construct. They're also ugly and lack natural light, and the stairwells reek of cigarettes etc. etc..
We haven't been tearing housing projects in the US down because they aren't sustainable, but because people don't like living in them, and they tend to have high crime rates. Since the Reagan administration we've decided the market can provide better options, and essentially banned new public housing. But has it provided better options? Does it feel like this is working?
- sparselogic 5y agoThe argument of the YIMBY/"fix zoning" team is that our current regulatory environment restricts what the market is allowed to provide. Based on what I've witnessed in my NEC metro neighborhood, this is correct: politicians gain favor with their constituents by fighting tooth and nail against anything that would add neighbors. I see two primary approaches: directly restrict the housing units allowed on a given property, or increase the minimum space allowed by requiring a dedicated parking spot. Since fewer units have to pay for the overall land and construction costs, unit prices go up. The market is delivering exactly the results that the government requires of them.
- rory 5y agoFrom your description, it sounds like the market is delivering the desired results within a given neighborhood, but failing to solve a tragedy of the commons between neighborhoods.
- sparselogic 5y agoIt's hard for 'the market' to solve political problems.
- rory 5y agoRight, I guess that's my central point. Capitalism is great for a lot if things, but "public-private partnerships" have proven worse than just letting public goods (like low income housing) be public.