A New Model for Housing Finance Public and Private Sectors Working Together to Build Affordability

A New Model for Housing Finance presents a thought-provoking solution to the housing crisis that follows the division of public and private money on housing costs and benefits. It brings a practical perspective on why housing is unaffordable, and what can be done about it using public and private capital. This book re-examines the foundation of housing finance in the United States with the aim to shift the paradigm from the public and private sectors working in silos, to working together.

Through brief yet rigorous chapters, the book assesses the policy failures of both public and private sectors by drawing attention to the continuing human impacts of this man-made crisis, finally calling for a new model of financing housing through public?private partnerships. The limited impact and false hope of planning interventions, as well as the widespread economic impacts of the global pandemic of 2020, demonstrate the urgent need for change in our approach to housing policy, and this book lays out a path forward. It will be of interest to anyone working in or studying housing, social justice, urban planning, urban studies, and public policy.

Introduction

Chapter 1. Inequality and the Urban Growth Machine

Chapter 2. A Global Problem of Affordability

Chapter 3. This Land is Your Land

Chapter 4. History of Public Investment in Housing

Chapter 5. Finance and Financialization

Chapter 6. Limitations of Land-Use Planning

Chapter 7. Rebuilding the Divided House

Murtaza Baxamusa holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and has taught courses there in urban planning and social policy. As a certified planner, he has over two decades of experience in professional practice and advocacy of affordable housing and economic development for workers. He is a nationally recognized expert on community benefits agreements.