Experts Say Zoning Reform Isn’t Likely to Solve Housing Crisis

A survey by Fannie Mae found widespread skepticism among housing experts that zoning reforms will be enacted widely enough to make a major impact on U.S. housing supply.

1 minute read

September 11, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Multistory apartment building under construction with yellow crane.

thanomphong / Adobe Stock

In a survey conducted by Fannie Mae, housing experts warn that zoning reform alone won’t be enough to solve the housing crisis impacting more and more American households.

The group of experts and policymakers surveyed agreed that zoning code changes will likely have a “moderate” or “insignificant” impact on housing supply and costs in the next five years.

“A plurality of panelists suggested that hastening the construction permitting process would have the greatest positive impact on housing supply if broadly enacted, [followed] by expanding zoning for multifamily housing developments and enabling more ‘missing middle’ or ‘light touch density’ housing construction,” but close to two-thirds expressed skepticism that these reforms will be broadly enacted.

“Accelerating the construction permitting process, along with increasing density around transit corridors and facilitating the creation of so-called ‘missing middle’ homes, are policies that are most likely to spur builder activity based on panelists’ perspectives,” according to many of the respondents. 

Thursday, September 5, 2024 in Housing Wire

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Nevada State Senate building.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill

If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

5 hours ago - KRNV News 4

Blue sidewalk curb cut painted with white accessibility symbol.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust

A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

5 hours ago - Governing

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues

We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine