#26 Daniel Herriges: The Strong Towns Approach to the Housing Crisis
In this episode I sit down with Daniel Herrigas, the new Policy Director for Parking Reform, and co-author of The Housing Trap, a book he wrote alongside Strong Towns' Chuck Marohn.
We delve into the complex issue of housing affordability, discussing how it goes far beyond the usual culprits of capitalism or zoning.
Daniel provides great insights into the financial, legal, and cultural forces that have shaped our current housing crisis.
We discuss how housing has become a financial product intertwined with national economic stability, and explore how the suburban experiment, government mortgage programs, and zoning laws have locked many communities into unsustainable patterns of development.
Daniel also shared a compelling vision for moving forward, advocating for more incremental and local solutions that empower individuals to take small steps towards improving their communities.
The episode sheds light on how the housing crisis isn't the result of one policy or a singular factor but is a deeply interwoven problem that requires nuanced, bottom-up solutions.
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The housing crisis can't be blamed solely on capitalism or zoning—it's the result of a mix of financial, legal, and cultural factors that have developed over decades.
Housing in the U.S. has evolved into a financial asset tied to the national economy, creating a system where prices must remain high to avoid financial collapse, even if that means homes are unaffordable.
Post-WWII suburban development, backed by government mortgage policies, has locked us into a system where housing is separated by strict zoning laws, limiting organic neighborhood growth and adaptability.
Outdated zoning regulations make it nearly impossible to build affordable housing in many desirable areas, restricting supply and pushing up prices.
Instead of massive top-down solutions, Daniel advocates for smaller, local infill projects like backyard cottages or duplexes that can quickly and affordably add housing in existing neighborhoods.
Beyond policy changes, there must be a cultural shift where communities accept neighborhood evolution and recognize the value in incremental, human-scale development over rigid, large-scale planning.
Real change starts at the local level, where builders, city planners, and residents must collaborate to remove roadblocks and rethink how cities and neighborhoods grow.scription text goes here
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00:00 Understanding the Housing Crisis
04:10 Historical Context of Housing Affordability
09:14 The Complexity of Housing Affordability
11:07 The Suburban Experiment and Its Impact
17:50 The Financialization of Housing
33:30 Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Housing
34:00 Cultural Shifts in Housing Perception
44:26 Planning for Permanence in Neighborhoods
45:55 The Impact of Zoning and Redlining
49:41 The Decline of Affordable Housing Strategies
51:34 Understanding the Role of Capitalism in Housing
52:53 The Future of Suburban Developments
56:05 The Importance of Incremental Development
01:00:20 Building Culture and Community Engagement
01:06:12 Escaping the Housing Trap: A Cultural Shift
01:17:03 The Future of Housing Policy and Community Development
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