In a post about systemic racism, John McWhorter writes: A science teacher conference in Washington state last year included a PowerPoint slide preaching that “If you conclude that outcome differences by demographic subgroup are a result of anything other than a broken system, that is, by definition, bigotry.” This should have been corrected: “If you…
A North Carolina senator has introduced a bill that would eliminate single-family zoning throughout the state. The bill would require local governments to allow duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in all areas zoned for residential. Not surprisingly, local governments are objecting. Local government officials argue that the bill interferes with their power to dictate land use….
Given my vehement opposition to zoning, one might think that I would be cheering a plan from the Biden Administration aimed at reducing single-family zoning. But there is little reason to cheer this plan. Biden has not suddenly become an advocate of property rights. The stated goal of Biden’s plan is to allow greater housing…
It has become fashionable among housing advocates to attack exclusionary zoning—zoning that that prohibits or excludes multi-family housing. While these attacks correctly point out that exclusionary zoning contributes to higher housing costs, advocates are calling for increased inclusionary zoning—zoning that compels developers to include housing for low-income families in new projects. Because these advocates are…
For years, housing advocates have been clamoring for more affordable housing. After the Biden Administration announced a plan that would ostensibly increase the supply of affordable housing by eliminating single-family zoning, also known as exclusionary zoning, many advocates have denounced the plan. Exclusionary zoning isn’t the problem, they say. The problem is the gang that…
Imagine for a moment, that you want to open a restaurant in an impoverished neighborhood in your city. When you apply for the necessary permits at the Health Department, you are told that you will only be allowed to open your restaurant if you agree to sell a percentage of meals below your costs. You…
Housing advocates frequently claim that racism explains the large gap in home ownership between whites and non-whites. To overcome this racism, they call for government programs to help non-whites purchase homes. It is true that past racism did deter home ownership among non-whites, but that fact must be considered in the full context. The source…
Government officials frequently cite the government’s police powers as a justification for their policies. While this can seem plausible in some situations, the City of Houston has decreed that this includes dictating what color individuals may paint their home. This past week, the Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Powell v. City of Houston….
For the past several years, a controversial highway expansion has pitted neighbors against one another in Collin County. The proposed plan will wipe out homes and encircle what are now quiet neighborhoods. While nearly everyone agrees that the expansion is needed, nobody wants it in their backyard. But as an article in D Magazine points…
A Houston couple has sued the City of Houston over its preservation ordinance. The case is due to be heard by the Texas Supreme Court on January 5. The couple’s suit claims that Houston’s preservation ordinance constitutes zoning. Houston’s charter requires a citywide referendum before zoning can be implemented, and no such referendum was held…
In January, an explosion at a metal fabricating facility in Houston killed two workers and damaged hundreds of nearby buildings and homes. The tragedy has provided some with a renewed zeal to point out the alleged dangers of Houston’s lack of zoning. One Houstonian was quoted in an AP story: I feel like it needs…
Nineteen Austin property owners have filed suit against the city. They claim that efforts to revise the city’s zoning ordinance have violated state law requiring the city to inform property owners of zoning changes and consider their protests against such changes. According to KVUE in Austin: Through the lawsuit, the residents are seeking that the…