Create more affordable housing by filling the missing middle | Chris Collier | TEDxSnoIsleLibraries

Summary

This video addresses the growing housing affordability crisis, emphasizing its widespread impact on communities. The speaker highlights the widening gap between household incomes and home prices, pointing to a dramatic decline in housing construction since 2014. With over 60% of land zoned for single-family homes, the speaker advocates for zoning flexibility to allow alternative housing types like duplexes and cottage housing. These 'missing middle' housing options can provide affordable solutions for a range of households. The call to action encourages community members to push local leaders for policy changes that foster more diverse and accessible housing options.

Takeaways

• 😀 Housing affordability is a growing issue affecting communities everywhere, not just homeowners but also essential workers like teachers, firefighters, and service workers.
• 😀 The housing affordability crisis is driven by a gap between new housing construction and the number of new households, which has worsened since 2014-2016.
• 😀 Home prices and rental rates have soared due to a lack of available housing stock, leading to more bidding on properties and higher costs for everyone.
• 😀 Incomes have not kept pace with rising housing costs. The median income of a family has diverged significantly from the income needed to afford a median home, creating an affordability gap of over $30,000 in Snohomish County.
• 😀 Essential community workers like police officers, firefighters, and teachers earn too little to afford the median-priced homes in their communities.
• 😀 Housing affordability is critical to addressing other societal issues like healthcare, education, and social equity.
• 😀 Many communities still have over 60% of their land zoned exclusively for single-family homes, preventing the construction of affordable housing types like duplexes, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing.
• 😀 There is a 'missing middle' in housing types, including smaller, more affordable options, which are not allowed to be built in many areas due to zoning restrictions.
• 😀 Public opinion and community support for alternative housing types like duplexes and live-work units can help shift zoning policies and increase housing availability.
• 😀 Community members can influence change by voicing support for diverse housing options and contacting city leaders to advocate for zoning flexibility and housing policy reforms.
• 😀 City officials often avoid supporting housing reforms without clear public backing, so it's crucial for people to express their support for solutions to the housing crisis.

Q & A

What is the primary issue discussed in the video?

The primary issue discussed in the video is the growing housing affordability crisis, where there is a mismatch between the availability of housing and the increasing number of households, making it harder for many people to access affordable housing.

Why is housing affordability important for broader societal issues?

Housing affordability is crucial because without affordable housing, it's much harder to address other pressing issues like healthcare, education, social inequities, and environmental sustainability. Stable housing is foundational to addressing these areas effectively.

What does the data presented in the video show about housing trends in Snohomish County?

The data shows that from 2000 to 2010, Snohomish County had a surplus of housing, with more units built than new households established. However, starting around 2014, this surplus diminished, and the number of new households outpaced new housing units, leading to a housing shortage.

How has the median sale price of homes changed over time, according to the video?

The median sale price of homes has risen significantly over time, especially after the recession in 2008. Prices are now much higher than in 2007 due to a lack of available housing stock, even though many people still cannot afford these high prices.

What is the relationship between income and housing affordability in the video?

The video emphasizes that the gap between what people earn and what they need to earn to afford a home has widened significantly. The median family income has not kept pace with the rising costs of homes, leading to a situation where many people, including essential workers, cannot afford homes in their communities.

Which professions are most affected by the housing affordability crisis?

Professions such as police officers, firefighters, middle school teachers, pharmacy technicians, dental assistants, and service industry workers like baristas and grocery store clerks are particularly affected, as their median incomes are often too low to afford even a median-priced home.

What are 'missing middle' housing types, and why are they important?

'Missing middle' housing types refer to housing options such as duplexes, courtyard apartments, and live-work units that are smaller and more affordable than traditional single-family homes or large apartment buildings. They are important because they provide affordable alternatives that are not currently allowed in many communities due to restrictive zoning laws.

What role does zoning play in the housing affordability crisis?

Zoning laws are a significant barrier to affordable housing. In Snohomish County, over 60% of residential land is zoned exclusively for single-family homes, which prevents the development of more affordable housing types like duplexes and apartments. Changing zoning laws to allow for more diverse housing options is critical to addressing the crisis.

What action does the speaker suggest individuals can take to help address the housing crisis?

The speaker suggests that individuals can take two key actions: first, reflect on whether they would be comfortable with different types of housing, such as duplexes or live-work units, in their neighborhoods; and second, advocate for changes to zoning laws by contacting local officials and expressing support for more flexible housing options.

How can public support influence local government decisions on housing?

Public support can significantly influence local government decisions. When a sufficient number of people contact city leaders and express their support for changes in housing policies, it can encourage officials to act, even if they might be reluctant due to fear of backlash. Local leaders are more likely to push for policy changes if they know there is widespread community backing.