In their widely discussed book, Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson examine America’s current societal challenges, highlighting shifts they believe could impact the ongoing housing crisis. Their proposed changes include easing zoning restrictions and altering local government and environmental review processes. Critics on the left often suggest a significant investment in "social housing." However, neither approach fully addresses the need for a comprehensive strategy in affordable home building, which is key to bridging the equity gap between different economic groups.
Klein and Thompson, both respected political analysts, identify as liberals, mainly targeting their message toward the Democratic Party. Their critics, including long-time housing advocates, express concern that the authors and the left may not fully grasp the prevailing cultural dynamics they aim to change.
One advocate recounts their experience with the Nehemiah housing project in New York, where initial skepticism was met with success in building thousands of affordable homes. This initiative gained momentum despite conventional wisdom at the time advocating for small-scale urban rebuilding efforts. By focusing on large-scale housing projects, they triggered a positive transformation in communities marked by ownership, economic growth, and improved public amenities.
The primary challenge was not political opposition but rather the widespread preference for tax-credit-driven approaches to affordable housing, which prioritize renting over ownership. This strategy is favored by a coalition of stakeholders that benefit from maintaining the status quo, despite its limitations in fostering equity and ownership.
Institutions tasked with housing production have achieved financial success but have often opted for safe strategies without significantly alleviating the housing crisis. Klein and Thompson’s critique of the legal-centric approach in politics highlights a need for results-oriented leadership.
The authors also overlook the crucial impact of third-sector organizations. For example, the Industrial Areas Foundation emphasizes the power of organized advocacy in influencing political leaders and achieving housing goals. The success in Brooklyn and beyond illustrates the importance of combining citizen power with responsive leadership to develop effective housing policies.
Decades later, similar efforts are underway in places like Chicago and Baltimore, aiming to address housing shortages through comprehensive strategies. The experience underscores the necessity for committed local leadership, analogous to Ed Koch’s pivotal role in New York, in supporting and expanding affordable home building initiatives.
