To Improve Housing Affordability, We Need Better Alignment of Zoning, Taxes, and Subsidies

As housing costs continue to rise faster than incomes, localities should promote affordable housing through land use reforms that increase residential density and taxes on expensive and underused land. This report recommends establishing high-density zoning ordinances and levying land value taxes. These policies work in tandem, especially in areas where land value taxes can incentivize upzoning and higher density development.