On Sunday, February 20, 2022, the New York Times published (p. 1, Sunday Business) an article by Conor Dougherty titled The Next Affordable City is Already Too Expensive; as Spokane is proving, home buyers migrating to escape rising prices encounter familiar issues.

What Would Henry George Say?

If Conor had researched this topic, he’d find that Cambridge, MA began a very effective affordable housing program two years ago called Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning, where land prices are held in check (and allowed to lower) by prioritizing the production of 100% permanently affordable housing instead of subsidizing market rate developers who provide a few TEMPORARY affordable units.  The secret of its success is placing of land with a trust then having tenants (whose incomes range close to the area medium income) pay no more than 30% of their income for housing.  Keeping land prices low achieves what Henry George’s single tax would otherwise do, promote equitable wealth distribution.