New home buyers have no choice but to move farther from the central business district. The result is longer daily commutes and a loss of open space. The intent is to reduce traffic. The more severe and broad the controls, the higher the prices. Building restrictions limit the supply of homes without reducing demand, increasing competition for available houses.
Higher prices reduce the ability of low and middle income families to afford a home.
Renters find that rents rise as housing prices climb, and that a larger per cent of income must be paid for housing. It becomes more difficult for renters to acquire a down payment, and upward mobility suffers. Those who own more than one house, on the other hand, will gain. They will receive both capital gains and higher rental income from their investment property. Those with only one house may gain depending on the details of the growth control policy.