Scaling Affordability and Breaking the Stigma: Local Innovations in Public Housing (with Rachel Cohen)

Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

This week, Nick and Goldy discuss the concept of social housing with Vox Policy Correspondent Rachel Cohen. They explore how local government investments in mixed-income housing can keep cities affordable for the middle class. Drawing from her reporting, Cohen spotlights the innovative social housing experiment in Montgomery County, Maryland, which demonstrates how well-designed public housing can rival private market options without falling prey to stigma or inefficiency. They also explore the financial benefits of publicly owned housing and its potential to alleviate the widespread housing crisis by providing a sustainable, scalable solution that benefits low- and middle-income earners by delivering lasting affordability.

Rachel Cohen is a policy correspondent for Vox Media. She focuses on U.S. social policy, covering issues such as education, abortion, economic policy, and housing. Rachel has been covering social policy issues for more than a decade, with her reporting published in more than two dozen national outlets, including the New York Times, the Atlantic, Bloomberg, the Daily Beast, and the Washington Post.

Social Media:

@rmc031

@rachelmcohen.bsky.social

Further reading:

What if public housing were for everyone?

One possible housing crisis solution? A new kind of public housing for all income levels

An Innovative Financing Model for Affordable Housing

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