Housing
Cities are dynamic centers of exchange, innovation, and economic growth, providing the platform where people, ideas, and capital come together. However, the regulations that limit urban development reduce the potential for income mobility and rising standards of living over time. Mercatus research shows how land-use policy reform can reverse the stagnation in our cities and address the systemic problem of housing affordability.
Featured
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Infill Housing Has Its Benefits but Won't Always Drive Down Costs | Governing
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Urban Planning and Cities | The Great Antidote
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Expanding Maryland’s Housing Stock: A Roadmap to Meeting Housing Targets
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Vancouver’s Housing Challenges Are a Cautionary Tale for Successful, Well-managed Cities | Discourse
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Duplex Reform Would Assist Housing Affordability in Nebraska
Nebraska Urban Affairs Committee | LB 1165, Provide requirements for zoning regulations and duplex housing
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
ADU Reform Would Assist Housing Affordability in Nebraska
Nebraska Urban Affairs Committee | LB 1166, Provide requirements for zoning regulations and accessory dwelling units
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Are Tiny Homes Possible Solution in the Affordable Housing Crisis? | WOSU
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Lifting Onerous Occupancy Requirements Can Help Unlock Housing Affordability
New Hampshire House Municipal and County Government Committee House Bill 1281, Relative to zoning restrictions on residential rental property
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Housing Affordability: Trends, Shocks, and State Legislation
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Virginia
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Connecticut
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Houston as an Affordability Model | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
[UPDATED] Resources for Reformers: Houston’s Minimum Lot Sizes | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Hamilton Response to Questions for the Record
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
The Effects of Minimum-Lot-Size Reform on Houston Land Values
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
This Supreme Court Case From California Could Ease Housing Shortages Everywhere | Los Angeles Times
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Hopefully, AI Will Create a Perpetual Housing Crisis | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Minimum Lot Size Regulations Are a Barrier to Homeownership in Dallas
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Improving Housing Affordability by Reducing Barriers to Housing Construction
Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the US House Committee on Financial Services | Housing Affordability: Governmental Barriers and Market-Based Solutions
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Infill Housing Has Its Benefits but Won't Always Drive Down Costs | Governing
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Urban Planning and Cities | The Great Antidote
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Expanding Maryland’s Housing Stock: A Roadmap to Meeting Housing Targets
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Vancouver’s Housing Challenges Are a Cautionary Tale for Successful, Well-managed Cities | Discourse
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Duplex Reform Would Assist Housing Affordability in Nebraska
Nebraska Urban Affairs Committee | LB 1165, Provide requirements for zoning regulations and duplex housing
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
ADU Reform Would Assist Housing Affordability in Nebraska
Nebraska Urban Affairs Committee | LB 1166, Provide requirements for zoning regulations and accessory dwelling units
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Are Tiny Homes Possible Solution in the Affordable Housing Crisis? | WOSU
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Lifting Onerous Occupancy Requirements Can Help Unlock Housing Affordability
New Hampshire House Municipal and County Government Committee House Bill 1281, Relative to zoning restrictions on residential rental property
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Housing Affordability: Trends, Shocks, and State Legislation
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Virginia
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Connecticut
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Houston as an Affordability Model | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
[UPDATED] Resources for Reformers: Houston’s Minimum Lot Sizes | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Hamilton Response to Questions for the Record
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
The Effects of Minimum-Lot-Size Reform on Houston Land Values
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
This Supreme Court Case From California Could Ease Housing Shortages Everywhere | Los Angeles Times
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Hopefully, AI Will Create a Perpetual Housing Crisis | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Minimum Lot Size Regulations Are a Barrier to Homeownership in Dallas
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Improving Housing Affordability by Reducing Barriers to Housing Construction
Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the US House Committee on Financial Services | Housing Affordability: Governmental Barriers and Market-Based Solutions
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Single-Family Zoning and Race: Evidence from the Twin Cities
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
New Research Shows How Zoning Slows Racial Integration
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Build-to-Rent Housing Bans: A Case of Zoning Overreach
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Rising Home Prices Are Mostly from Rising Rents
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How One City Embraced Zoning Reform for Economic Growth and Community Preservation
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Housing Reform in the States: A Menu of Options for 2023
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Regulating without Zoning in Maine Towns
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Rezoning Protest Petitions Are Ripe for Reform
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Foundations and Microfoundations: Building Houses on Regulated Land
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Housing Reform in the States: A Menu of Options
- | Housing Housing
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Inclusionary Zoning and Housing Market Outcomes
- | Housing Housing
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Legislative Exits From the Land Use Labyrinth
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Build More Houses
How an Incorrect Perception of Housing Supply Fueled the Great Recession and Slowed Recovery
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Ordinances at Work: Seven Communities That Welcome Accessory Dwelling Units
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Inclusionary Zoning Hurts More Than It Helps
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Zoning Out Growth | City Journal's "10 Blocks"
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Arbitrary Lines, The Case Against Zoning with Nolan Gray, UCLA Lewis Center | Gov Love
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Land Use Regulation and the Growing Cost of Housing | Working Capital: The Real Estate Podcast
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Biden Administration Creates Plan to Increase Affordable Housing | Marketplace Radio
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Emily Hamilton on Political Economy with James Pethokoukis - Fixing America’s Housing Problem
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Emily Hamilton on WHYY - Special Zoning Districts
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Emily Hamilton on C-SPAN - Housing Policy Under Biden (Part 1)
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Emily Hamilton on C-SPAN - Housing Policy Under Biden (Part 2)
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Emily Hamilton on C-SPAN - Housing Policy Under Biden (Part 3)
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Emily Hamilton on C-SPAN - Housing Policy Under Biden (Part 4)
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Emily Hamilton on Morning Briefing - President Biden's Housing Plan
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Alain Bertaud on Cities, Markets, and People | Conversations with Tyler
- | Housing Housing
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Land Use Regulations, the Rise of NIMBYism, and Options for Reform
A Macro Musings Transcript
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Alain Bertaud on Cities, Planning, and Order Without Design | EconTalk
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Emily Hamilton on BBC Radio News
- | Housing Housing
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Making the Housing Market More Resilient for Homeowners, Neighborhoods, and the Economy
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Were We All Wrong about the Great Recession?
A Macro Musings Transcript
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Kevin Erdmann on C-SPAN's Washington Journal
- | Housing Housing
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Kevin Erdmann on WINA Radio's "The Schilling Show"
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Making State and Local Policy Work for the New Wave of Transportation Innovation
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting the Right to Build Housing in Colorado
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units Would Contribute to Housing Affordability in Texas
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers’ Role in Protecting the Right to Build Housing in Texas
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
The Benefits of Transit-Oriented Zoning Reform
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Rights, Responsibilities, and Preemption in Minnesota
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting the Right to Build Housing in Montana
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Light-Touch Density and New Hampshire’s Role in Zoning
New Hampshire House of Representatives, Municipal and County Government Committee
- | Housing Housing
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Improving Opportunities for Multifamily Housing in Virginia
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Regulations Are the Main Cause of Inadequate Housing Supply and Rising Rents in Texas
Texas Senate Committee on Local Government
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting the Right to Build Workforce Housing in Texas
Texas House of Representatives Committee on Urban Affairs
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting Short-Term Rental Rights in Ohio
Ohio House State and Local Government Committee
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Property Rights Can Protect Attainable Housing in Texas
Texas House of Representatives | Land and Resource Management Committee
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Inclusionary Zoning and Housing Market Outcomes
Testimony before the Cincinnati City Council Equitable Growth and Housing Committee
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Protecting Property Owners and Housing Affordability in Tennessee
Tennessee Senate Committee on Judiciary
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Rights, Responsibilities, and Preemption in Minnesota
Minnesota Senate Committee on Local Government Policy
- | Housing Housing
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Implementing Massachusetts's Ambitious Zoning Law
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Rights, Responsibilities, and Preemption in Minnesota
Minnesota Senate Committee on Housing Finance and Policy
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
The Logic of Preemption in Connecticut
Connecticut Joint Committee on Planning and Development
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units Would Contribute to Housing Affordability in Maryland
Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units Would Contribute to Housing Affordability in Maryland
Maryland Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Bipartisan Hope for Affordable Housing Emerges in the West | Governing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How DC Densified | Works in Progress
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
‘Affordable’ Housing Only Makes Phoenix’s Affordability Crisis Worse | The Arizona Republic
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Tell It to the Judge: New Lawsuits Take Exclusionary Zoning to Court | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What’s Scott Alexander Asking, Anyway? | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Zoning Policies Intended To Support Agricultural Abundance Are Failing | Farming Abundance
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How ‘Granny Flats’ Can Help Preserve Texas’ Middle Class | The Dallas Morning News
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Arizona Housing Affordability Reform Is About To Have Its Moment | Arizona Capitol Times
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Cataloguing California’s Cornucopia of Land Use Legislation | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Role of ADUs in Easing America's Housing Crisis | Governing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Other Cities Show Housing Abundance Is Key to Affordability | Banker & Tradesman
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Rent Regulation in MoCo | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
To Aid Renters, Ease Up on Investors, Landlords | Star Tribune (MN)
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Book Review: HIAHP | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Resources for Reformers: Houston’s Minimum Lot Sizes | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why Is It So Hard To Find an Affordable City To Raise a Family? | The New York Times' Twitter Space
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Xiaodi Li, Misunderstood | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Welcome Michael Nahas | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Zoning Out American Families | Discourse
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary