DiscoverBiggerPockets DailyIs Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?
Is Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?

Is Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?

Update: 2025-09-05
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Read the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-local-politics-is-ruining-the-american-dream


America’s housing shortage isn’t just a “problem”—it’s a disaster. We’re already short 5 to 6 million homes, and without major changes, that gap could balloon to 15 million within a decade. In this episode, we’ll trace how the Great Recession and decades of restrictive zoning set the stage for today’s crisis, explain why local politics keep killing affordable housing projects, and show how lot sizes, setback rules, and “neighborhood character” arguments drive up costs. Finally, we’ll explore why state-level reform may be the only path forward if the American Dream is to remain within reach.

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Is Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?

Is Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?

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