Major Theme Needs and Areas of Concern Local Policies, Regulations, and Attitudes Increase the Cost of Housing and Limit Availability Government Policies Reduce Housing Affordability . Local governments view housing as an expense to be supported, not as a revenue source. As a result, there is a desire for larger, more expensive homes that generate more tax revenue. Zoning ordinances that promote large lots and low-density development increase the costs of housing, thereby pricing many consumers out of the market, and push development out further from employment centers. Regulations and Fees Increase Housing Costs .
Developers pass on the costs of regulations to housing consumers.
Bureaucracy, red tape, and time delays create obstacles to housing production and add to costs. Cash proffer requirements, fees for utility hookups, and building regulations add to housing costs. Overly Restrictive Covenants Add to Housing Costs . Community Attitudes Limit Housing Options . This supports a lack of political will to address the housing needs of poor people and people with disabilities.