We Need Homes of All Sizes, but Our Main Shortage Is of Small Ones

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Across the Pacific Northwest—Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia—only 37 percent of households consist of more than two people.

But fully 59 percent of Cascadia’s current housing stock has three or more bedrooms.

Even in the city of Portland, it’s 49 percent of homes with three or more bedrooms despite only 34 percent of households with three or more people. In Seattle proper, the oversupply of big homes is 38 percent compared to 26 percent.

Is it bad that so many of us have bigger homes than we truly need? Well, maybe. The United Nations says it’s a significant contributor to climate change, for one thing.

The fact that one person has plenty of indoor space doesn’t in itself force another person to have less … unless we’ve passed laws that limit the construction of new indoor space. And of course we have many such laws. Bans on adding more apartments to places many people want to live are a primary cause of housing scarcity in the United States and Canada. Apartment bans are the single biggest thing preventing us from having a housing market that feels more like a grocery store than a cage match.

-more-

https://www.sightline.org/2019/12/12/we-need-homes-of-all-sizes-but-our-main-shortage-is-of-small-ones/

[BigmanPigman]

1. Vote for plans in your city/town next Nov.

Very important to get this done ASAP!

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Yes we do need smaller Houses.

It only makes good economic sense. Never understood why people thing they need more friggin room than they could possibly use. First home was 890 sq ft,we raised three kids and dog in that space,the reason we moved was Job related and then to a 912 sq ft house which we lived in until retirement which was 33yrs. Our maintenance and utilities were modest at best.

Now we have 1500 sq ft and that is because of this being one of the smallest available at the time. Can not wait till we find something smaller that is as efficient as this house. Yes we are Solar. what a savings.

[LisaM]

3. I am in an apartment and it feels like an ant farm.

It's horrible, but all we can afford in Seattle. I can't tell you how much I hate it. There are two of us in a one bedroom and it's miserable. There have been studies showing that density can lead to depression.

We have towns all over this country begging for population. The answer is not to cram everyone into the same five cities.

[Igel]

4. Yup.

On the other hand, it's one of this things that will possibly be a bit contentious. If you look at where zoning regs are toughest, both across the country and within states ...

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/07/10/california-needs-to-build-more-apartments/

[VarryOn]

5. This article was interesting but...

I was somewhat annoyed until he finally admitted toward the end that:

“Some people don’t want small homes, and they shouldn’t be forced to live in them. But anyone who does want to prioritize their preferred location over a big home should have that option. It’s an option that fits more Pacific Northwest households every year.”

I’m all for zoning and understand that many cities experiencing affordable housing had governments that largely created the problem by constraining development. People who are OK living in small abodes should be able to find them. If someone is good with only 800 square feet 500 or even 257, good for them. Builders should be free to build them in the appropriate locations (I certainly would t want it next door to my normaL-sized home.).

Conversely, if my wife and I (who are empty nesters) want four bedrooms and four baths, that should be ok too, provided we can afford it and it meets zoning.

We need to be very careful trying to prescribe what people “need,” whether it pertains to houses, salaries, cars, or whatever. What I think I “need” may not be the same as what you think I “need.” too often I hear “no one needs a house that big”, or “no one needs a salary that big” or “no one needs whatever...” Sometimes people want things and as long as they have the wherewithal and it doesn’t impose too much on others, they should be free to have them. Housing included.

[Wounded Bear]

7. I think the heart of the problem is that there are no "starter homes" any more...

People just starting out could use some options in the 2 bedroom range, or maybe even one. Economics is driving economies of scale. It is cheaper to build a few hundred McMansions than it is a few thousand starter homes.

Hell, I get where you're going. When I could afford it I tended to rent a 2 bedroom place, even though I live alone. The extra room makes a nice office or den or whatever. I can't afford that any more so I don't.

[Hoyt]

6. Not a world traveler, but I get feeling homes in foreign countries are much smaller

than here, for regular folks.

[Recursion]

8. House sizes have doubled in 40 years

It's absolutely crazy