In a Fresh Air interview, housing expert Ben Keys delves into the ongoing housing crisis in the U.S., marked by high prices and a lack of available homes. He traces the roots of this crisis back to the 2008 financial collapse, which has been compounded by soaring material and labor costs, daunting financing challenges for large developments, and strict zoning laws. Keys critiques several proposed solutions from President-elect Trump, such as tariffs on construction materials—which would worsen the situation—mass deportation, which could harm the construction workforce with little effect on housing costs, and the idea of creating "freedom cities" on federal land, unlikely to significantly alleviate the shortage. Instead, he points to more viable solutions, like transforming existing federal buildings, such as post offices, into housing and adopting strategies like those in Minneapolis, where relaxed zoning regulations have led to increased density and slower price hikes. He also addresses how climate change is driving up property insurance costs and highlights the gradual but inevitable impact of an aging population selling their homes, known as the "silver tsunami."
