Housing Policy

11 articles

A stark visual contrast between overcrowded, neglected housing and exclusive, modern high-rises, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on segregation and property values.
Neighborhoods

What Are Zoning Laws and Why Do They Affect Property Values?

Zoning regulations, which dictate what can be built where, have deeply rooted racist and classist origins that continue to shape housing costs and segregation patterns today.

Aaron Blake·June 26, 2026
Aerial view of a city showing a stark contrast between low-density residential areas and high-density apartment buildings, illustrating the impact of zoning laws.
Neighborhoods

What is the impact of local zoning laws on urban development?

In the United States, low-density residential zoning predominates, effectively limiting housing opportunities for millions who cannot afford large homes, according to PMC .

Derek Molina·June 7, 2026
A diverse neighborhood showcasing a mix of housing types, reflecting the impact of zoning ordinances on urban development and community character.
Neighborhoods

What Are Local Zoning Ordinances and How Do They Shape Neighborhoods?

In 2023, the City of Charlotte's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) began permitting duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes, along with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), in all residential zones without

Derek Molina·May 29, 2026
Aerial view of a city neighborhood, illustrating the impact of zoning laws on urban development and housing diversity.
Neighborhoods

What Is Zoning and How Does It Shape Neighborhood Development?

In San Francisco, zoning laws once dictated that only members of the immediate family one generation out could live together, with the sole exception of live-in servants.

Derek Molina·May 19, 2026
Birmingham City Council chambers with a gavel suspended over documents, symbolizing the delayed decision on short-term rental regulations and the ongoing housing debate.
Real Estate

Birmingham delays short-term rental rules amid housing debate

After two years of extensive debate, the Birmingham City Council again delayed a decision on short-term rental regulations, pushing the vote to at least May 2026.

Aaron Blake·May 14, 2026
A diverse cityscape with various building types, overlaid with subtle zoning maps and legal documents, representing the complexity of local zoning ordinances.
Real Estate

What Are Types of Local Zoning Ordinances and Their Effects?

In 2023, North Carolina forbade local governments from restricting building-design elements on residential structures with up to four units and precluded cities from requiring parking spaces larger th

Aaron Blake·May 8, 2026
City planners and community members collaborating over development plans, symbolizing the complex decision-making process of zoning boards.
Neighborhoods

What is the impact of local zoning boards on development?

In Louisville, Kentucky, approximately 83% of rezoning applications received final approval from legislative bodies between 2010 and 2020, with only 4% being rejected, according to Jameshoward .

Aaron Blake·May 4, 2026
A split image of a modern city skyline juxtaposed with a historic neighborhood, illustrating the impact of zoning on urban landscapes and property values.
Neighborhoods

What Is Zoning and How Does It Shape Neighborhood Character and Property Values?

Eliminating restrictive zoning in major urban areas could boost the U.

Aaron Blake·April 23, 2026
Community members discussing zoning maps and blueprints, representing the crucial role of local zoning boards in neighborhood development and decision-making.
Neighborhoods

What is the Role of Local Zoning Boards in Neighborhood Development?

In 2026, local zoning boards hold immense power to approve or deny new housing and preserve wetlands.

Aaron Blake·April 19, 2026
A visual representation of a city divided by zoning laws, showing the contrast between dense multi-family housing and exclusive single-family neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods

How Zoning Laws Shape Neighborhoods and Affect Housing Costs

Approximately 75 percent of land in American cities is constrained by zoning practices that exclusively permit single-family residences, a statistic that profoundly shapes urban living.

Aaron Blake·April 19, 2026
An aerial view illustrating the stark contrast between a bustling urban core with tall buildings and a quiet, tree-lined suburban area, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on neighborhood character and development.
Neighborhoods

How Local Zoning Laws Impact Neighborhood Character: An Explainer

Have you ever wondered why some neighborhoods feel bustling and dense while others are quiet and sprawling? Understanding how local zoning laws impact neighborhood character and development is the first step for residents who want a say in their community's future.

Derek Molina·March 31, 2026