Many young adults cannot afford to leave home to seek better job opportunities or have enough space to start families. Three in ten voters under 30 years old say that inflation and the cost of living are the most pressing issues currently facing the country (NBC, 2024).
Housing costs represent the largest expense for most households, and there is insufficient housing supply to meet demand or create a competitive rental market. This growing affordability crisis has sparked bipartisan support for reforms to zoning policies, which many believe could create new opportunities for housing development and bring relief to struggling renters and first-time homebuyers. I believe that major reforms to land use policy nationwide are necessary to help lower the cost of living and improve social mobility for low- and middle-income families.
A key factor contributing to the housing shortage is zoning restrictions, which in many American cities heavily favor single family zoning. Zoning refers to the set of municipal or local government regulations that dictate how land within specific geographic areas can be used. Around 75 percent of residential land in the country is legally restricted to single family homes, blocking the construction of multifamily housing that could help meet the demand for more affordable living options (NYT, 2019). This entrenched preference for suburban style development results in sprawl and makes it harder for cities to grow in accessible, sustainable, and affordable ways. Additionally, redlining and exclusionary zoning practices have historically reinforced these patterns. Redlining, a discriminatory practice that began in the 1930s, involved drawing lines around minority and low-income neighborhoods on maps, designating them as risky for investment, which led to these communities being denied mortgages and other financial services. This legacy of redlining has systematically excluded certain groups from homeownership and reinforced segregation. Combined with exclusionary zoning, these policies have worsened inequality in housing access. The lack of missing middle housing such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes adds to the problem, as these types of housing, which can bridge the gap between single family homes and large apartment buildings, are often restricted by zoning laws favoring single family homes over more affordable, diverse housing options.
With estimates of the U.S. housing shortage ranging from 4 to 7 million homes (Pew, 2023), policymakers and urban planners are starting to explore ways to modify zoning laws to enable higher density housing. More apartment buildings, duplexes, and mixed-use developments, particularly in transit rich or high demand areas, could help alleviate the crisis and create a more competitive rental market. The public, as well as politicians from both sides of the aisle, are beginning to unite around certain solutions. A 2023 Pew survey found that over 80 percent of Americans support changes to zoning policies aimed at increasing housing availability, such as allowing apartments to be built near transit hubs and job centers, converting underutilized office buildings into residential spaces, and speeding up the building permit process (Pew, 2023). These changes could create the opportunity to open up more land for development and streamline housing construction.
Many municipalities and a few states have started to implement reforms in this area over the past few years and have seen positive results. Minneapolis, for example, saw a major increase in its housing stock five years after eliminating single family zoning, with rent prices in the city rising by only 1 percent compared to a 14 percent increase statewide (NPR, 2024). California also passed a law requiring cities to permit ADUs which are small living suites on properties with a main house, leading to the construction of 28,000 ADUs in 2022 (NPR, 2024). Despite these successes, similar reforms are often blocked by local governments, which frequently cite vague concerns over traffic congestion or environmental impacts as reasons to prevent changes in zoning policies.
These objections are often based on fears of increased density leading to congestion or strain on local resources, yet they can disproportionately hinder progress toward affordable housing solutions. Such arguments can be vague, lacking solid evidence to support claims that increased housing will significantly degrade traffic conditions or environmental quality. In many cases, these concerns may be used as a guise for preserving the status quo, reflecting a desire to protect existing neighborhood character rather than genuinely addressing community needs. Additionally, these blockages perpetuate inequality by limiting housing options for lower income residents and families, forcing them into areas with less access to jobs, schools, and amenities. The interests of existing homeowners are prioritized over those of the broader community, including potential residents who could benefit from more affordable housing. This creates a cycle where only those with the means to afford housing in desirable areas can do so, worsening socioeconomic divides and making it increasingly difficult for future generations to find affordable housing. Using vague traffic or environmental concerns to block reforms is not only unjust but also counterproductive, as it undermines efforts to create inclusive communities that can adapt to the housing needs of all residents.
The 2024 presidential candidates have also put forward bold proposals to address the housing crisis. Former President Donald Trump suggested leveraging federal land for large scale housing projects (ABC, 2024). Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed a $25,000 down payment assistance plan for first time homebuyers, along with tax incentives for companies building homes for first time buyers (ABC, 2024). Harris’s plan aims to support the construction of 3 million new housing units.
In conclusion, solving the U.S. housing crisis will need big changes to zoning rules and a move away from laws that limit housing to single-family homes. By allowing a wider range of housing types and cutting red tape, communities can become more affordable and accessible. With strong support from both the public and policymakers, ideas like building more homes near transit stations and speeding up building permits could help reduce housing shortages, lower costs, and create more opportunities for families and individuals across the country.
Sources
Badger, Emily, et al. “Cities Start to Question an American Ideal: A House with a Yard on Every Lot.” The New York Times, 18 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/18/upshot/cities-across-america-question-single-family-zoning.html.
Cassata, Cathy. “Trump, Harris Stand Apart on Housing Policy.” ABC News, 22 Aug. 2023, abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-harris-stand-housing-policy/story?id=113618872.
Fessler, Pam. “In Many Cities, a Housing Shortage Spurs Zoning Reform.” NPR, 17 Feb. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/02/17/1229867031/housing-shortage-zoning-reform-cities.
Gramlich, John. “Survey Finds Large Majorities Favor Policies to Enable More Housing.” Pew Charitable Trusts, 30 Nov. 2023, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/11/30/survey-finds-large-majorities-favor-policies-to-enable-more-housing.
Seitz-Wald, Alex. “Young Voters Harbor Deep Worries over Inflation, Debt, Housing.” NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024, www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/young-voters-harbor-deep-worries-inflation-debt-housing-rcna169421.
