Source: Forbes

Date Published: 09.23.2025

Link: Four Principles Policymakers Should Follow To Make Housing More Affordable

This article outlines four core principles that policymakers should adhere to when designing housing affordability policies. The author argues for (1) focusing on “missing middle” housing, (2) removing regulatory barriers—like onerous zoning and parking mandates, (3) enabling flexible density and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and (4) ensuring policy stability so that developers and buyers can trust long-term rules. The piece emphasizes that affordability is not just about subsidies but system redesign: zoning, incentives, and consistent policy matter. It cites examples like Rhode Island allowing more townhomes in areas previously zoned single-family, and Texas’s Starter Homes Act, which relaxes minimum lot sizes to spur new builds. For cities like New York, these principles resonate: weakening zoning walls to encourage multi-family and duplex development, permitting more ADUs, and anchoring long-term rules would complement existing programs like inclusionary housing and rent controls. The article shows how supply-side reforms paired with demand subsidies can better align housing markets with affordability goals.