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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