Surveys reported by Chris Elmendorf and colleagues find that only a minority of residents think adding a lot of regional housing lowers prices. Large, bipartisan majorities instead blame developers/landlords and favor price controls and subsidies over permitting more supply. These beliefs are weakly held but consistent enough to shape policy preferences.
— If democratic majorities don’t believe supply cuts prices, YIMBY reforms face a legitimacy gap that could entrench ineffective controls and worsen affordability.
Jerusalem Demsas
2025.08.25
50% relevant
The article suggests local actors favor 'senior' projects to avoid the fiscal and political costs associated with new families and schools—an example of residents prioritizing perceived distributional impacts over the basic supply logic that more homes lower prices.
Arnold Kling
2025.08.19
100% relevant
Elmendorf et al. summarize three original surveys of urban and suburban residents showing disbelief that supply reduces prices and strong support for price controls.
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