Local zoning laws created in the 1970s and 80s have had far reaching, prohibitive effects on housing. But also—the home building industry seems wildly monopolistic and mafia-run, as well as incredibly profitable. Rather than pave the way for uninhibited building by these companies, I’d love to see more investigative journalism into the materials pricing and labor practices that make building so expensive and, by world standards, rather low quality.
The Labyrinthine Rules That Created a Housing Crisis
The rules that govern land are the foundation of our lives.
theatlantic.com