Should European housing politics be Americanized?
The article examines whether European cities should adopt US-style housing policies, such as deregulation and market-driven development, to address housing affordability crises. It contrasts Europe's stronger tenant protections and land-use restrictions with America's more permissive building regimes, weighing potential trade-offs between affordability, stability, and urban character.
Background
A long-running debate in housing policy contrasts the "American model" (more market-oriented, with less restrictive zoning and faster permitting, especially in Sunbelt cities) with the "European model" (stronger tenant protections, social housing, and tighter land-use regulation). The article argues that European housing crises—driven by supply constraints, not demand—could learn from U.S. cities like Houston or Austin that have loosened zoning and sped up construction, while keeping European social protections. Key context: housing is Europe's top political concern; YIMBY ("Yes In My Backyard") movements have emerged on both continents pushing for deregulation; and the EU has no direct housing competence, leaving policy to national and local governments.