How to fix a housing shortage

At a Glance

• Cody Fisher’s Optimism - “Cody now, optimistically, expects to start building on that corner lot in March 2025, a year behind schedule.” Cody’s unwavering optimism despite setbacks is a key theme throughout the episode.

• Minneapolis 2040 Plan - “Minneapolis became the first major city in the nation to get rid of single-family zoning.” The bold housing policies implemented in Minneapolis serve as a model for other cities looking to address housing shortages.

• Challenges in Development - “Clearly if any new development can be derailed by angry neighbors, that is an enormous weakness of Minneapolis’s ambitious plan to fix a housing shortage.” The episode highlights the challenges developers face in overcoming opposition to new housing projects.

• Environmental Concerns - “A group of environmentalists sued the city over its big plan, saying that the whole plan should have gone through an environmental review.” The intersection of environmental concerns and urban development is a significant issue explored in the episode.

What to Do

• Build more housing to solve the housing shortage - Building more housing is essential to address the housing shortage and bring down home prices, as advocated by Cody Fisher in the transcript.

• Consider the collective need for housing over individual preferences - While it’s important for neighbors to have a say in development projects, decisions should also consider the broader need for housing in the community, as highlighted by Jerusalem Demsis.

• Focus on creating environmentally friendly housing - Cody Fischer’s emphasis on building energy-efficient, carbon-smart housing showcases the importance of sustainable development practices.

• Advocate for bold housing policies - Minneapolis’s 2040 plan, which eliminated single-family zoning, demonstrates the impact of innovative housing policies in addressing housing challenges.

What to Get

• War And Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Referenced as a comparison to the length of the Minneapolis plan, as mentioned by Nick Erickson.

• Hard Hat - Amazon - Worn by construction workers, as mentioned by Cody Fischer in the transcript.

Summary

In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the ambitious housing experiment that took place in Minneapolis through the stories of two buildings. Real estate developer Cody Fisher is highlighted as he navigates the challenges of building energy-efficient, carbon-smart housing in the city. Cody’s mission is to address the housing shortage by constructing small to midsize apartment buildings, known as the “missing middle,” which are considered crucial in solving the housing crisis. However, despite receiving unanimous approval for his project, Cody faces setbacks when a lawsuit by environmentalists halts the development due to concerns about the environmental impact of increased housing density.

Minneapolis’s groundbreaking housing plan, Minneapolis 2040, made headlines for being the first major city to eliminate single-family zoning, allowing for more diverse housing options like duplexes and triplexes. The plan aimed to address the housing shortage by encouraging the construction of new homes and increasing housing density. However, the episode also delves into the challenges faced by developers like Cody, who must navigate legal battles and community opposition to bring their projects to fruition.

The podcast sheds light on the complexities of urban development and the importance of balancing environmental concerns with the need for affordable housing. It highlights the tensions between progress and preservation, as cities like Minneapolis grapple with finding innovative solutions to housing shortages while also addressing environmental impacts. Through the stories of Cody and other developers, listeners gain insight into the intricacies of urban planning and the ongoing efforts to create sustainable, inclusive communities.