The statement highlights how rigid land use regulations and administrative barriers have fueled a housing crisis marked by:
- Sale prices and rents outpacing household incomes
- Slowed economic growth and diminished opportunity
- Rising homelessness and displacement of low-income residents
- Persistent racial and income segregation
“Pioneer is proud to sign onto this letter with such a diverse group of policy and housing experts and community leaders because the evidence is clear: outdated and overly restrictive land-use regulations are a major driver of our nation’s housing crisis,” said Andrew Mikula, Senior Housing Fellow at the Pioneer Institute. “Our research has consistently shown the urgent need for housing reform.”
For example, Pioneer’s study ‘Sticker Prices, Elastic Supply, and Geography: A Cross–Metro Housing Affordability Analysis,’ found that Greater Boston continues to suffer from an inflexible housing supply largely due to stringent zoning and permitting processes. These barriers contribute directly to worsening affordability and push families further from jobs, schools, and opportunity. While this is a pressing issue in Massachusetts, it reflects a broader national pattern that demands bold, coordinated action.
To address these challenges, the statement recommends:
- Expanding low-cost housing options such as accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and modest “starter homes”
- Reducing or eliminating parking and dimensional requirements
- Encouraging apartments, condominiums, and townhomes near jobs, shops, and transit
- Streamlining approvals and expanding “by right” permitting
Fifty-seven leaders representing dozens of organizations across the country have signed on. With home prices escalating and construction slowing, the affordability crisis has spread far beyond coastal cities to communities nationwide.
Pioneer Institute remains committed to advancing policy solutions that expand housing opportunity and affordability in all 50 states.
