Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

The Case Against Home Ownership

10:15 AM EST on February 25, 2009

This morning on the Streetsblog Network, we're featuring a thoughtful post from Greater Greater Washington in which David C dares to challenge the very foundation of the "American Dream" -- home ownership.

186433302_143913ed9e.jpgPhoto by Transguyjay via Flickr.

A variety of government policies and programs have dramatically increased home ownership. But lately, some have been advocating that the government stop subsidizing home ownership, arguing that it locks people to a place, and when the economy goes sour people need the flexibility to go where the jobs are. I would say that we need to take it farther and that, in addition to allowing the unemployed to move to work, encourage the employed to move closer to work.

He goes on to cite several studies that show home ownership can be an inefficient use of a family's financial assets, as well as Richard Florida's recent article in the Atlantic, "How the Crash Will Reshape America":

Florida talks about creating national rental companies that will allow you to transfer a lease to another property and facilitate your move, instead of charging you for breaking your lease and leavingyou to fend for yourself in the next town. That's similar to the way people trade in a car for the new one. Our public policy should encourage that as well.

Furthermore, we need to change tax laws that don't accommodate all types of mobility. Current federal tax laws allow deducting moving expenses. But the time and distance requirements do not allow you, as bankrate.com puts it, to move just "to ease your daily commute to work." But why shouldn't we subsidize a move to ease your daily commute? We subsidize your commute through tax deductions for commuting expenses. Why not subsidize easing the commute? Doesn't it also carry environmental advantages that we want to encourage? Shorter commutes strengthen families, and ease everyone else's commute too. Isn't that more of a public good than home ownership?

A piece we ran a couple of weeks back on a similar topic, Where's "Against Transportation," generated a lot of comments. We're interested to hear your thoughts on this one. Should we become a more mobile society, picking up and moving where the jobs are? Is this even remotely realistic in a country where many families rely on the incomes of two adults?

Bonus reading: Making Places (the PPS blog) has a related post called "A World Where Cars Have a Right to Housing and People Don't."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Police Brass Gets Booed During E-Vehicle Safety Alliance Meeting for Applauding Deliveristas

Attendees of the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance's latest meeting castigated a Transportation Bureau deputy inspector for saying that delivery workers are responsive to safety issues.

September 28, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines: Unsafe School Streets Edition

A school crossing guard was injured by a drunk driver on Tuesday. Plus more news.

September 28, 2023

EYES ON THE STREET: Drivers Dominate Former W. 22nd Open Street

Meh. The barriers are gone and the cars are back on W. 22nd, but some spaces for people remain.

September 28, 2023

‘Not Grieving Alone’: A Father’s Artistic Journey After Losing Two Kids to Road Violence

Colin Campbell and his wife Gail Lerner lost both their children in a car crash with impaired driver. Now, it's a show.

September 28, 2023

Opinion: Bring Back ‘Give Respect/Get Respect’ Campaign

If cyclists don't throw their own bad apples under the bus, we won't get safer streets, argues this West Side advocate.

September 27, 2023
See all posts