Zoning and red tape gets a bad wrap in arguments that blame the housing crisis on a lack of housing supply. Another narrative credits a shortage of construction workers on the lack of housing supply in the country.
"A shortage of construction labor that has squeezed property developers across the U.S. got worse in June after showing signs of improvement a month earlier," reports Laura Kusisto.
"The number of open construction jobs increased to a seasonally adjusted 225,000 in June from 163,000 in May, according to the Labor Department," adds Kusisto.
The article describes the worker shortage as a "critical issue" for the housing market—"delaying the construction of new homes and causing a supply shortage that is forcing prices higher."
As for why there is such a shortage of willing labor to drive a housing construction boom, the article says workers that left he industry during the Great Recession are reluctant to return.
[The Wall Street Journal article might be behind a paywall for some readers.]
FULL STORY: Construction-Worker Shortage Worsens in June
Housing Starts Hit Two-Year Low
Housing starts and permits are slowing nationwide. The current pace of construction would have been considered a trough in pre-recession economic cycles.
U.S. Faces Historic Housing Shortages, With Roots in the Recession and Local Zoning Restrictions
The long-term effects of the Great Recession were timed very poorly for millions of Millennials aging into homebuying years. The pandemic and the traditional zoning preferences of communities aren't doing first-time homebuyers any favors.
200 New Homes; 14,000 Interested Buyers
A large new master planned development in San Diego offers another anecdote about the state of the real estate market in 2021.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)