In every North American city facing rising housing costs, there is a literal ocean of usable, desirable land for housing, already serviced by municipal infrastructure.
And every month, a percentage of that useable and desirable land comes up for sale, meaning it’s previous owner occupiers are voluntarily moving, and a new owner, if they chose, could redeploy the land in a way that provides homes to many more people, while not evicting anyone.
Unfortunately, each of these cities has also made it illegal for this transition to happen, mandating that the only way you’re allowed to build larger buildings, (if at all) is by demolishing another large (and occupied) building first.
In New Zealand the central government tried to weaken the building height restrictions, but some of the local governments have blatantly and illegally stuck to the old rules.
In every North American city facing rising housing costs, there is a literal ocean of usable, desirable land for housing, already serviced by municipal infrastructure.
And every month, a percentage of that useable and desirable land comes up for sale, meaning it’s previous owner occupiers are voluntarily moving, and a new owner, if they chose, could redeploy the land in a way that provides homes to many more people, while not evicting anyone.
Unfortunately, each of these cities has also made it illegal for this transition to happen, mandating that the only way you’re allowed to build larger buildings, (if at all) is by demolishing another large (and occupied) building first.
We should change that!