Rent control and Euclidean zoning have long been tools used by cities to segregate the poor—both white and Black—away from the neighborhoods of the bourgeoisie, teachers, academics, and politicians, who consider themselves deserving of separation from the masses. Rent control has allowed private property to become state-regulated, benefiting existing tenants while discouraging new development, thus exacerbating the housing crisis in cities like New York and San Francisco.
Zoning laws, particularly single-family zoning, have frozen communities in place. These restrictions make it nearly impossible to accommodate the needs of growing populations or lower-income residents, as seen in Los Angeles, where homelessness has reached crisis levels.
Building codes, while often necessary for safety, have added further obstacles. In cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, stringent requirements for seismic safety and energy efficiency drive up construction costs, making affordable housing infeasible.
Meanwhile, endless wars have drained the economy, diverting resources away from domestic investment. The U.S.’s long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, costing trillions, contributed to economic strain, while offshoring manufacturing hollowed out industries that once provided stable wages for the working class. Over time, more of the proletariat and the petty bourgeoisie have found themselves either unemployed or earning too little to afford better housing.
As property has morphed into a speculative investment commodity, prices have skyrocketed, turning what was once a basic need—shelter—into a luxury for the few. Until these policies are reformed, homelessness and housing shortages will only worsen.