Cultural Gates to Housing Growth

Places only build if they pass informal cultural 'tests' — wanting growth, treating property rules in a way that allows change, and holding positive‑sum beliefs about newcomers and development. When any of those cultural gates is closed, even economically sensible projects are likely to fail, so supply gravitates toward places that clear all three. — If true, housing policy must address local culture and civic narratives, not just incentives or zoning rules, to meaningfully raise supply.