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Any bets on whether eliminating zoning has any effect on the number of "people living in fucking tents?" In my experience, the people in tents aren't waiting w

Any bets on whether eliminating zoning has any effect on the number of "people living in fucking tents?" In my experience, the people in tents aren't waiting with a down payment that's a few tens of thousands short of market. I think you're right that the solution here is being driven by homelessness. I also think it's more progressive wishful thinking.

webkike 4y ago
And what is your experience?
knowaveragejoe 4y ago
Zoning is the root of a lot of issues in the US: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/7/13/housing-scarcity-is-a-force-multiplier-for-other-problems https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/7/13/housing-scarci...
bluGill 4y ago
That depends on how long this goes on. It takes months to build a new unit, so it will make no difference in 3 months. In many areas there is a lot of pent up demand from people with more means who are living elsewhere, and they are now living in houses in areas far enough away that those living in tents won't find moving there useful. In short it will take a decade or two of building to make a difference to those living in tents. Also living in tents often implies other issues. More housing will not solve anything if your real issue is serious mental illness. There will also be a few people living in tents/on the street because their reason for living in tents is not related to the cost of housing. Building more housing will make a difference to those who's problem is housing is too expensive, but it can't help those who's problems are not high cost of housing.
- xwdv 4y ago
  The best time to have built housing was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.
frosted-flakes 4y ago
This is all about making housing affordable. Ignore the 20% affordable housing figurine in the article; that's just a bandaid measure that doesn't address the root issue, which is that housing is too expensive. Increasing the supply of housing will decrease the cost of housing, for everyone. So yes, it will have an effect, but since there is such a high demand for housing and since it takes a long time to build it, it will be a while before that effect is felt. And if the growth in housing isn't sustained, then this will just be a blip.

webkike 4y ago

And what is your experience?

knowaveragejoe 4y ago

Zoning is the root of a lot of issues in the US: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/7/13/housing-scarcity-is-a-force-multiplier-for-other-problems https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/7/13/housing-scarci...

bluGill 4y ago

That depends on how long this goes on. It takes months to build a new unit, so it will make no difference in 3 months. In many areas there is a lot of pent up demand from people with more means who are living elsewhere, and they are now living in houses in areas far enough away that those living in tents won't find moving there useful. In short it will take a decade or two of building to make a difference to those living in tents. Also living in tents often implies other issues. More housing will not solve anything if your real issue is serious mental illness. There will also be a few people living in tents/on the street because their reason for living in tents is not related to the cost of housing. Building more housing will make a difference to those who's problem is housing is too expensive, but it can't help those who's problems are not high cost of housing.

xwdv 4y ago
The best time to have built housing was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.

frosted-flakes 4y ago

This is all about making housing affordable. Ignore the 20% affordable housing figurine in the article; that's just a bandaid measure that doesn't address the root issue, which is that housing is too expensive. Increasing the supply of housing will decrease the cost of housing, for everyone. So yes, it will have an effect, but since there is such a high demand for housing and since it takes a long time to build it, it will be a while before that effect is felt. And if the growth in housing isn't sustained, then this will just be a blip.