In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by economist Elliott Pollack, columnist Bob Robb, and professor Henry Thompson to explore one of America’s most urgent issues: housing affordability. Together, they dig into how city zoning laws, regulatory delays, and supply constraints have fueled a housing crisis – and why homelessness, economic stagnation, and unaffordability are all symptoms of a deeper policy failure.
Through compelling analysis, real-world examples, and expert commentary, the panel discusses Arizona’s unique housing landscape and how it reflects national trends. With bipartisan legislative efforts gaining momentum, the episode explores whether change can happen at the city level – or if it must come from the state legislature to break through entrenched local resistance.
Topics Discussed in This Video:
- The Economic Truth About Supply and Demand: The panel dissects the basic economic principle that more housing supply leads to lower costs—and why some skeptics still resist this truth despite overwhelming data.
- Zoning and Regulation: A Hidden Driver of the Crisis: Learn how local zoning restrictions, permitting delays, and aesthetic requirements are choking supply and pushing costs up—impacting everyone from essential workers to young families.
- Homelessness: A Housing Problem?: The guests discuss research suggesting that a shortage of available homes, not just mental health or substance abuse, is a major driver of homelessness—and why a broader supply strategy may be the only scalable solution.
- Who Holds the Power to Fix This?: While cities often resist reforms, the Arizona legislature has begun considering powerful, bipartisan measures to free the housing market. Will they succeed where local governments have stalled?
- The Case for Home Ownership: Beyond economics, the panel emphasizes the social and cultural value of home ownership, showing how it can create financial stability, family roots, and long-term opportunity.
