{"id":2529939,"date":"2026-01-05T10:17:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/economist-want-to-make-america-affordable-again-get-rid-of-these-zoning-laws\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T10:21:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:21:29","slug":"economist-want-to-make-america-affordable-again-get-rid-of-these-zoning-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/economist-want-to-make-america-affordable-again-get-rid-of-these-zoning-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Economist: Want to Make America Affordable Again? Get Rid of These Zoning Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feconomist-want-to-make-america-affordable-again-get-rid-of-these-zoning-laws%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2529939&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Economist Steve Moore argued on CNBC that eliminating state and local zoning restrictions would increase housing supply, lower prices, and let more Americans buy homes. He said <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >rising home values benefit owners<\/a> and the economy, but emphasized that easing zoning would allow more construction to address affordability. the Trump administration has signaled it will push regulatory changes and reward states that reduce building barriers, calling for aggressive housing reform in 2026. Critics and supporters of zoning clash: many economists say restrictive land-use rules raise prices and worsen inequality, while proponents argue such rules protect neighborhood quality and homeowners&#8217; values. The median age of first-time homebuyers rose to 40 in 2025, reflecting affordability challenges for younger adults.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Economist Steve Moore on Monday said that eliminating local and state zoning restrictions will help solve the housing price crisis across the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Moore argued on CNBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Squawk Box&rdquo; that getting rid of these restrictions would allow more homes to be built, which in turn would allow more Americans to purchase homes. Officials in President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration said that regulatory changes will speed up home construction and reward states that reduce barriers to building houses, KMIR-TV <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcpalmsprings.com\/2025\/12\/26\/trump-promises-aggressive-housing-reform-in-2026-heres-what-experts-expect-for-home-prices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;<span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:22\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"81520\" data-end=\"83440\">Yes, housing is expensive today.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:24\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"84060\" data-end=\"89860\">But for every time that the value of a house goes up, that can be a positive for<\/span><\/span><span class=\"opacity-80 text-sm\" data-timestamp=\"\">  t<\/span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:30\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"89860\" data-end=\"90160\">he economy.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:30\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"90280\" data-end=\"91260\">Look, I&rsquo;m typical. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:31\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"91300\" data-end=\"92440\">I&rsquo;m 65 years old.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:33\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"92840\" data-end=\"97800\">A lot of the equity that I have, a lot of the money I have is in the equity in my home,&rdquo; Moore said.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"opacity-80 text-sm\" data-timestamp=\"\">  &ldquo;<\/span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:38\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"97980\" data-end=\"101840\">So if the value of my home goes up, that&rsquo;s a bad thing. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:42\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"101920\" data-end=\"102760\">That&rsquo;s not a bad thing.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:43\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"102800\" data-end=\"103360\">That&rsquo;s a good thing.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:44\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"103520\" data-end=\"108320\">If you want to if you want to see price prices crash for the homes, that&rsquo;s not going to be<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:48\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"108320\" data-end=\"109080\">a very good thing.&rdquo;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:49\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"109080\" data-end=\"110440\">&ldquo;This is a financial show.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:51\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"111000\" data-end=\"113260\">And you want rising home prices not. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:54\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"113540\" data-end=\"115780\">But we also need a greater supply.<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 1:56\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"115980\" data-end=\"119340\">And that&rsquo;s where at the state and local level, we have to get rid of a lot of the zoning<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 2:00\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"119860\" data-end=\"121400\">restrictions on building housing,&rdquo; Moore continued.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The surge in housing prices has prevented many Americans from buying a home, particularly young adults. Trump has signaled that housing affordability will be a major priority in 2026, hinting that he will propose the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-sends-troops-bonus-checks-and-biden-coal-for-christmas\/\" title=\"... sends troops bonus checks and Biden coal for Christmas\">aggressive housing reform plans<\/a> in U.S. history.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Many economists have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban.org\/urban-wire\/link-between-land-use-restriction-and-growing-inequality#:~:text=According%20to%20Jason%20Furman%2C%20Chairman%20of%20the,protect%20and%20increase%20their%20own%20home%20values.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">argued<\/a> that restrictive zoning laws, often called &ldquo;red tape,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-slam-biden-administration-energy-guidelines-over-rising-costs-to-new-construction-homes\/\" title=\"House Republicans criticize Biden administration&#039;s energy policies for increasing costs of new home construction\">increase housing prices<\/a>, limit the supply of housing, and hinder economic growth. Economists in favor of these restrictions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.georgetown.edu\/environmental-law-review\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/01\/Lewyn-Article.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">say<\/a> that they improve the quality of neighborhoods and protect homeowners&rsquo; property values.<\/p>\n<p>The median age to buy a home in 2025 rose to an all-time high of 40 years old, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/newsroom\/first-time-home-buyer--falls-to-historic-low-of-21-median-age-rises-to-40#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according<\/a> to the National Association of Realtors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p><em>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/union-membership-plummets-to-record-low\/\" title=\"Union Membership Plummets to Record Low\">legitimate news publisher<\/a> that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter&rsquo;s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mailto:licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org\">licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Moore: Remove zoning to ease U.S. housing crisis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2529940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2025-12-29T110730.213.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[43922,32671,49636,70158],"class_list":["post-2529939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-affordable-housing","tag-housing-policy","tag-urban-planning","tag-zoning-reform"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2025-12-29T110730.213.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2529939"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2529943,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529939\/revisions\/2529943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2529940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2529939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2529939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2529939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}