Housing Affordability, Elections, Governing Authorities Oh My
By Ashley Fahey – Editor, The National Observer: Real Estate Edition, The Business Journals Restrictions around building new housing is a commonly cited hurdle to affordability in many U.S. markets. Housing affordability is becoming a bigger issue for U.S. voters, spurring policymakers — especially at the state and local levels — to consider new measures aimed at easing the burden facing both renters and prospective homeowners. While every city, county or region thinks about housing affordability (and potential solutions) differently, several common policy changes are being pursued, especially to ease restrictions around building new housing. New research from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, outlines some of the biggest reforms being adopted across the U.S. today and offers a menu of potential options for policymakers to consider. Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center, said even