4 ms·

People prefer housing they can’t afford. Allowing housing of different densities allows people to optimize their trade offs.

giantg2 5y ago
Cities do allow housing of different densities depending on location (zone). Why would mixed density make it any better, especially when the article/study already says people prefer low density housing?
- cheriot 5y ago
  Not really. In practice, there's a small area for apartment complexes and then a huge area for single family exclusive housing. In places without strict zoning, there's a whole spectrum of things https://missingmiddlehousing.com https://missingmiddlehousing.com The goal is that when prices go up, there should be a way for people to build more homes that have a reasonable commute.
  - giantg2 5y ago
    That depends on which cities we're looking at. We also have to look at percentage and not just area. If we're packing people in 10:1, then the space can be 5-10% of the area and hold a large portion of population. This may be sufficient based on the desires of the people (back to the article).we "The goal is that when prices go up, there should be a way for people to build more homes that have a reasonable commute." If they can't, then that should encourage employers to look elsewhere and move.
    - cheriot 5y ago
      > If they can't, then that should encourage employers to look elsewhere and move. It doesn't. That's why the most prosperous American cities have the longest commutes and least affordable housing. If a metro area decided they don't want job growth and limited new office construction I'd be fine with that. But when a municipality allows new offices and prohibits new housing it hurts a lot of people.
      - giantg2 5y ago
        Yet we are seeing some companies leave places like CA for TX. So it does happen.
        cheriot 5y ago
        Pandemic aside, total employment in SF has been increasing as fast as offices can be constructed.

giantg2 5y ago

Cities do allow housing of different densities depending on location (zone). Why would mixed density make it any better, especially when the article/study already says people prefer low density housing?

cheriot 5y ago
Not really. In practice, there's a small area for apartment complexes and then a huge area for single family exclusive housing. In places without strict zoning, there's a whole spectrum of things https://missingmiddlehousing.com https://missingmiddlehousing.com The goal is that when prices go up, there should be a way for people to build more homes that have a reasonable commute.
- giantg2 5y ago
  That depends on which cities we're looking at. We also have to look at percentage and not just area. If we're packing people in 10:1, then the space can be 5-10% of the area and hold a large portion of population. This may be sufficient based on the desires of the people (back to the article).we "The goal is that when prices go up, there should be a way for people to build more homes that have a reasonable commute." If they can't, then that should encourage employers to look elsewhere and move.
  - cheriot 5y ago
    > If they can't, then that should encourage employers to look elsewhere and move. It doesn't. That's why the most prosperous American cities have the longest commutes and least affordable housing. If a metro area decided they don't want job growth and limited new office construction I'd be fine with that. But when a municipality allows new offices and prohibits new housing it hurts a lot of people.
    - giantg2 5y ago
      Yet we are seeing some companies leave places like CA for TX. So it does happen.
      - cheriot 5y ago
        Pandemic aside, total employment in SF has been increasing as fast as offices can be constructed.