It was frustrating to read about the “right” housing affordability strategy in the Washington Post today . The article positioned those who support affordability through increasing overall housing supply on one side against those who support government policies to address housing on the other. Your first reaction may be, “Why can't both approaches be part of the solution?” If so, you are absolutely right. It is 2026 and we need complex solutions to our pressing societal challenges, including the cost of living, and the biggest expens for most families: housing costs. Arguing against an approach because it doesn't immediately solve all challenges when described in its simplest form is not only frustrating but potentially misleading. Also, the belief that there is one magical solution that will simply and quickly solve all the housing challenges we face is equivalent to the snake-oil salesperson from centuries ago - not the modern solutions we need today. Placing c...
People, places, and the policies that affect them