A fundamental freedom in the United States is the ability to travel and to move and live wherever an individual finds the greatest opportunities. However, this freedom is increasingly coming under attack. Although no policies exist that directly regulate movement, more subtle restrictions are emerging. Potential entrants to many regions face limits in the form of housing shortages brought about by residential growth controls. Members of existing communities often fear change, and want to protect themselves from the risks of new development.
New residents require new homes that lead to changes in the character of an existing community.
Growth control proponents argue that unregulated growth is the cause of crowding at beaches, parks, and public facilities. Unregulated growth is also blamed for traffic congestion, reduced air and water quality, the loss of open space, and the destruction of the natural environment. The proposed solution is to place a moratorium on residential building permits as though houses are the fundamental cause of all growth-related problems. In extreme cases a municipality may even set a legal population limit, forbidding entry by law. The shortcomings and inefficiencies of such growth controls are numerous.