Housing presents daunting challenges for planners, public officials, and advocates, with many cities across the United States experiencing acute shortages of affordable housing. New York City – the country’s most populous – is a prime example, with the city seeing record low vacancy rates, soaring rents, and stratospheric purchase prices.
These forces place enormous pressure on tenants and have led to substantial increases in homelessness. They also prompt more aggressive government interventions into the housing market.