Neighborhood Defenders

This audiobook explores the ongoing housing crisis in the U.S. since the 2008 market collapse, highlighting the significant gap between housing demand and supply, particularly for affordable options. It delves into the role of local participatory land use institutions, which unintentionally empower entrenched interests and privileged homeowners, known as "neighborhood defenders." These individuals disproportionately influence land use politics to block new housing projects, ultimately leading to reduced housing availability and increased costs, thereby perpetuating social and economic inequality.