Many communities across the nation still lack affordable housing. And many officials continue to claim that "affordable housing" is an oxymoron. Building inexpensively is impossible, they say, because there are too many regulations. Required environmental impact statements and habitat protection laws, they contend, drive up the costs of construction. But is this actually true? In a comprehensive study of the question, the authors of this eye-opening book separate fact from myth.
With admirable clarity, they describe the policy debate from its beginning, review the economic theory, trace the evolution of development regulation, and summarize the major research on the topic. In addition, they offer their own research, accompanied by a case study of two strikingly different Washington, D.C., suburbs. They also include results of focus groups conducted in Dallas, Denver, and Tucson. The authors find that environmental regulatory costs-as a share of total costs and processes-are about the same now as they were thirty years ago, even though there are far more regulations today. They find, too, that environmental regulations may actually create benefits that could improve the value of housing.
Although they conclude that regulations do not appear to drive up housing costs more now than in the past, they do offer recommendations of ways in which the processes associated with regulations-including review procedures-could be improved and could result in cost savings. Intended primarily for professionals who are involved in, or impacted by, regulations-from public officials, planners, and engineers to housing developers and community activists-this book will provide useful insights and data to anyone who wants to know if (and how) American housing can actually be made "affordable."
"In this book, Arthur C. Nelson, John Randolph et al. provide reasoned analysis for decision-makers in the public and private sectors about the effect of environmental regulations on housing affordability. It is an invaluable contribution to those concerned with the future well-being of our families."---Earl Blumenauer, Member of Congress "The authors provide clear-eyed, expert consideration of the interactions between environmental regulation and housing costs, toppling long-held 'truths' as they go. Finally, policy-makers have more than rumor and innuendo to inform decision-making."---Geoffrey Anderson, president and CEO, Smart Growth America "A must read for environmentalists and affordable housing providers alike."---Dr. Susan Wachter, co-director, Institute for Urban Research, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
