Housing Policy in the United States: The Intersection of the Public and Private Sectors
In the 20th century, housing policy in the United States crafted a complex finance and delivery system that is the envy of the world. This course will examine the origins of that system, the evolving role of government at the federal, state, and local levels, and emerging issues that will determine the future of housing policy. The class will explore the inherent tensions in policy and practice and the ways in which the two inform each other. Based on the instructor\’s experiences, the course will provide students with insights into the formulation and implementation of housing programs. The course is predicated on the premise that the nexus between state and market is the defining element of housing policy in the United States and to understand that policy is to understand the coincidental and conflicting interests of the public and private sectors.