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Better Cities Project
  • Home
  • About Us
    Our Vision
    BCP’s vision is that free-market municipal policy solutions are broadly available, widely acceptable, and regularly employed, enabling American cities to achieve their full potential as engines of economic prosperity. We reject the idea that cities are lost to free-market principles or policies.
    Our Mission
    BCP uncovers ideas that work, promotes realistic solutions, and forges partnerships that help people in America’s largest cities live free and happy lives.
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    Address

    304 S. Jones Blvd #2826
    Las Vegas NV 89107

    Phone

    (702) 608-2046‬

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    Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Email

    info@better-cities.org

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Home Community, Growth and Housing

Homelessness and housing shortages

Restrictive housing policies reduce housing supply and drive up prices

Patrick TuoheybyPatrick Tuohey
December 5, 2024
in Community, Growth and Housing
Reading Time: 1 min read
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Homelessness and housing shortages

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The essay “Why Housing Shortages Cause Homelessness” by Salim Furth offers a compelling analysis of the intricate relationship between housing scarcity and homelessness. Furth illustrates how exorbitant housing costs in urban areas not only strain individual finances but also erode the social safety nets that often prevent homelessness.

A poignant example is Diona’s story—a young mother compelled to leave her overcrowded family home, navigating temporary accommodations with acquaintances before resorting to a shelter. This narrative underscores a critical point: homelessness frequently ensues not merely from financial insufficiency but from the absence of available and affordable housing options within one’s social network.

Furth emphasizes that in regions with moderate housing costs, individuals at risk of homelessness can often find refuge with friends or family who have the space to accommodate them. Conversely, in high-cost cities, even willing hosts may lack the physical space to offer shelter, thereby increasing the likelihood of homelessness.

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This perspective challenges the notion that homelessness is solely a consequence of personal failings or economic hardship. Instead, it highlights systemic issues—particularly restrictive housing policies that limit the construction of new homes, leading to shortages and inflated prices. By addressing these policy-induced constraints and increasing the housing supply, communities can enhance the capacity of social networks to support individuals in crisis, thereby reducing homelessness.

In essence, Furth’s essay advocates for a reevaluation of housing policies, suggesting that alleviating housing shortages is a pivotal step toward mitigating homelessness. This approach not only addresses the immediate need for affordable housing but also reinforces the informal support systems that are crucial in preventing homelessness.

Tags: HomelessnessHousingHousing Affordability
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Patrick Tuohey

Patrick Tuohey

Patrick Tuohey is co-founder and policy director of the Better Cities Project. He works with taxpayers, media, and policymakers to foster understanding of the consequences — sometimes unintended — of policies such as economic development, taxation, education, and transportation. He also serves as a senior fellow at Missouri's Show-Me Institute and a visiting fellow at the Virginia-based Yorktown Foundation for Public Policy.

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