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.
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Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Expanding Opportunities for the Construction of Starter Homes and Workforce Housing in the US
Congress can support and supplement state and local reform efforts
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Reducing Parking Mandates Can Unlock Housing Affordability in Connecticut
House Bill 7061 can make Connecticut the first state to eliminate parking minimums
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How Massachusetts Can Streamline Homebuilding | The Boston Globe
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Massachusetts
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Single-Stair Solution: A Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
Building code reform to encourage innovative design, stimulate housing development, and improve the quality of life for residents
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Fair Occupancy Restrictions Can Expand Housing Opportunities in New Hampshire
House Bill 457 supports uniform housing restrictions that will promote affordable housing in the state
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The Redevelopment of RFK Stadium in DC | Fox 5 DC
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Here’s How the Trump Administration Can Curb Housing Costs | Los Angeles Times
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Expanding New Hampshire’s Housing: Detached ADUs and Residential Development in Commercial Zones
Bills HB 577 and HB 631 will enhance housing affordability and promote housing supply in the state
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Considerations for State "Fair Share" Housing Frameworks
Reorienting the planning process so that outcomes take center stage
- | Housing Housing
- | Amicus Briefs Amicus Briefs
Adams v. City of Seattle
Brief of Amici Curiae in support of appellant Anita Adams
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New NC Law Protects Property Rights by Limiting Local ‘Down-zoning’ | Carolina Journal
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Reforming US Building Codes
The International Code Council needs to compare the costs and benefits of its recommended requirements.
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Fixing Sick Cities | EconLib’s “EconTalk”
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Neutralizing the Objector Lawsuit | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does Your City Do Its Part To Measure Housing Production? | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Declaration of Emily Hamilton in Support of Shelter WF, Inc., Montana Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Gallatin County
How exclusionary zoning limits housing construction, and how new housing construction improves housing affordability
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Permitting Fixes For More Housing | I Hate Politics Podcast
- | Housing Housing
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Effects of Minimum-Lot-Size Reform on Houston Land Values
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why housing shortages cause homelessness
Why do high-cost cities have more homelessness? It’s not just about rents — it’s also about the rooms friends and family can’t afford to share.
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Expanding Opportunities for the Construction of Starter Homes and Workforce Housing in the US
Congress can support and supplement state and local reform efforts
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Reducing Parking Mandates Can Unlock Housing Affordability in Connecticut
House Bill 7061 can make Connecticut the first state to eliminate parking minimums
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How Massachusetts Can Streamline Homebuilding | The Boston Globe
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Massachusetts
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Single-Stair Solution: A Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
Building code reform to encourage innovative design, stimulate housing development, and improve the quality of life for residents
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Fair Occupancy Restrictions Can Expand Housing Opportunities in New Hampshire
House Bill 457 supports uniform housing restrictions that will promote affordable housing in the state
- | Housing Housing
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The Redevelopment of RFK Stadium in DC | Fox 5 DC
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Here’s How the Trump Administration Can Curb Housing Costs | Los Angeles Times
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Expanding New Hampshire’s Housing: Detached ADUs and Residential Development in Commercial Zones
Bills HB 577 and HB 631 will enhance housing affordability and promote housing supply in the state
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Considerations for State "Fair Share" Housing Frameworks
Reorienting the planning process so that outcomes take center stage
- | Housing Housing
- | Amicus Briefs Amicus Briefs
Adams v. City of Seattle
Brief of Amici Curiae in support of appellant Anita Adams
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New NC Law Protects Property Rights by Limiting Local ‘Down-zoning’ | Carolina Journal
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Reforming US Building Codes
The International Code Council needs to compare the costs and benefits of its recommended requirements.
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Fixing Sick Cities | EconLib’s “EconTalk”
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Neutralizing the Objector Lawsuit | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does Your City Do Its Part To Measure Housing Production? | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Declaration of Emily Hamilton in Support of Shelter WF, Inc., Montana Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Gallatin County
How exclusionary zoning limits housing construction, and how new housing construction improves housing affordability
- | Housing Housing
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Permitting Fixes For More Housing | I Hate Politics Podcast
- | Housing Housing
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Effects of Minimum-Lot-Size Reform on Houston Land Values
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why housing shortages cause homelessness
Why do high-cost cities have more homelessness? It’s not just about rents — it’s also about the rooms friends and family can’t afford to share.
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Massachusetts
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Single-Stair Solution: A Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
Building code reform to encourage innovative design, stimulate housing development, and improve the quality of life for residents
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Considerations for State "Fair Share" Housing Frameworks
Reorienting the planning process so that outcomes take center stage
- | Housing Housing
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Effects of Minimum-Lot-Size Reform on Houston Land Values
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Florida
How to deliver land use reform in the state—three key policy recommendations
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Seattle Special: A US City’s Unique Approach to Small Infill Lots
How building-code reform can support more housing types and create denser, more walkable communities
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Maryland
10 policy recommendations to accelerate project timelines and reduce costs
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How to Streamline Housing Permitting in Tennessee
The decision-making process should be based on a reasonable evidentiary basis, not political pressure on local boards and commissions
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Boosting Housing Affordability: Practical Suggestions for Congress and the White House
How executive actions and new laws in Washington can help reform efforts in the states.
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Tennessee’s HPR Law and Its Transformation of Nashville’s Housing Market: A Model for Other States
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
How Reno’s Minimum-Lot-Size Regulations Are Blocking Affordable Homeownership for Nevadans
Lawmakers can promote affordability and choice in housing options by capping minimum lot sizes, limiting street frontage requirements, or both.
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
A Taxonomy of State Accessory Dwelling Unit Laws 2024
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Housing Reform in the States: A Menu of Options for 2025
- | Housing Housing
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Laying Foundations: Momentum Continues for Housing Supply Reforms in 2024
Housing remains a top issue in state legislatures, with 20 states enacting housing supply bills in the last year.
- | Housing Housing
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Less but Better Zoning
Latest work in Housing
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How Massachusetts Can Streamline Homebuilding | The Boston Globe
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Here’s How the Trump Administration Can Curb Housing Costs | Los Angeles Times
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New NC Law Protects Property Rights by Limiting Local ‘Down-zoning’ | Carolina Journal
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Reforming US Building Codes
The International Code Council needs to compare the costs and benefits of its recommended requirements.
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Neutralizing the Objector Lawsuit | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does Your City Do Its Part To Measure Housing Production? | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why housing shortages cause homelessness
Why do high-cost cities have more homelessness? It’s not just about rents — it’s also about the rooms friends and family can’t afford to share.
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How U.S. Cities Can ‘Upzone’ Without Compromising Affordability
Critics of liberalizing housing construction are concerned that looser zoning rules could make existing houses more expensive. Fortunately, this worry is somewhat overblown.
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Housing Filters (Dorm/Shelter Edition) | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Arlington Missing Middle Lawsuit Decision | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Agenda: Dynamic Congestion Pricing for Autonomous Vehicles | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Case for Urban Renewal | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
More Housing, Less Participatory Democracy | Discourse
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Hot Takes and Pensées, #UEA2024 | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Book Review: (de)Coding Mumbai | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Congestion Pricing: Traffic Solver or Sin Tax? | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Stone: Diversity Didn’t Cause the Baby Bust | Market Urbanism
- | Housing Housing
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary