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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

The arguments in favor of loosening zoning laws always have the same error in logic: They assume that demand for housing never changes.

They just say, "Hey if we could just add a bunch more housing units, then housing prices would fall, either in absolute terms or relative to what they would have otherwise been -- because, you know, supply and demand." And sure that's true if demand doesnt change. But why wouldnt demand go up too?

If you add a lot more housing units WOTP, for example, a lot of people who had previously written off their chances of living there will suddenly be very interested in moving there because of the schools (sorry, young white dudes hoping to move into Cleveland Park -- you will be outbid by parents). Likewise, if you add a bunch of housing units in poorer areas of the city, you will set off a wave of gentrification that will prompt a lot more people to want to live there. You'll also attract a lot more people looking to move in from the suburbs in order to have a shorter commute.

In those cases, adding housing units has no effect on housing prices. It might even make the city less affordable. [/quote]

Making it possible for more people to live in well-located neighborhoods is a feature, not a bug.

Adding housing units to address a housing shortage is also a feature, not a bug.[/quote]

If you want to live in New York City, go live in New York City. I like that DC is actually livable. I'd be happy if fewer people lived here. Everyone doesnt have to live in the same place. It's a big country. Lots of places will pay you to move there. West Virginia is paying people $12,000 to move there. [/quote]

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