Civitas Outlook
Topic
Economic Dynamism
Published on
September 30, 2025
Contributors
Joel Kotkin
Steven Pedigo
Jennifer Hernandez
Ryan Streeter
Mattie Parker
Kirk Watson
Wendell Cox
Lance Gilliam
Cullum Clark
Joel Farkas
Laolu Davies-Yemitan
Dianne Bangle
Daniel French

Unlocking Housing Supply: Market-Driven Solutions for Growing Communities

On September 24th, the Civitas Institute hosted a half day conference, Unlocking Housing Supply: Market-Driven Solutions for Growing Communities.

Across the country, fast-growing communities are facing a common challenge—and a shared opportunity. As housing affordability becomes a defining issue for voters, families, and the future of local economies, the question isn’t whether to act, but how.​

Opening Remarks

Steven Pedigo, LBJ School of Public Affairs

Keynote: What’s Holding Housing Back?

Jennifer Hernandez, Holland & Knight

Mayors in Action: Leading the Local Housing Response

Ryan Streeter, Civitas Institute (moderator)

Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth

Mayor Kirk Watson, City of Austin

What the Data Tell Us: Housing Affordability by the Numbers

Joel Kotkin, Civitas Institute (moderator)

Wendell Cox, Demographia

Lance Gilliam, Concentric Community Advisors

Cullum Clark, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative

Real-World Solutions: What Practitioners Are Doing Differently

Steven Pedigo, LBJ School of Public Affairs (moderator)

Joel Farkas, Fruition Communities

Laolu Davies, Five Woods Realty

Dianne Bangle, Real Estate Council of Austin

Dan French, Excelsior

What Comes Next: A Call to Action

Ryan Streeter, Civitas Institute

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