It’s not "luxury" factors that make housing in Washington, D.C., extremely expensive.
"High housing costs [in the Washington, D.C., area] have surprisingly little to do with marble countertops and things that go inside buildings. They have much more to do with what’s outside the building: land," reports Ally Schweitzer.
Land in the area averages $1.2 million an acre, and this is the main factor driving up housing costs in the region. And zoning is largely behind the housing shortage that has made land so valuable. "In the D.C. region, vast swaths of residential areas are zoned exclusively for single-family homes, the most space-intensive and costly form of housing," notes Schweitzer.
Construction costs have also increased and added to the rising housing costs. But people are willing to pay these prices, making affordable housing even more important for the region. "Affluent singles and couples drive a lot of housing demand in the region, especially in D.C., and they compete for homes that could otherwise go to lower-income families," says Schweitzer.
FULL STORY: ‘Luxury’ Amenities Aren’t Why Housing Is So Expensive In The D.C. Area
Only Two US Metro Areas Are Affordable for Homebuyers
Northeast Ohio is the last remaining bastion of housing affordability, according to an analysis from the National Association of Realtors.
How New York Suburbs Are Tackling the Housing Crisis
Some small cities are proposing zoning code reforms and new taxes to address the growing housing shortage in the greater New York area.
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Cuomo Is the Candidate of Both NIMBYs and Developers. What Gives?
In the New York City mayoral race, odd bedfellows align to preserve the housing status quo.
The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont