State and local governments are driving up the cost of housing through a web of regulations, industry groups and federal officials say – a situation that’s prompted Housing Secretary Ben Carson to call for new incentives to eliminate the red tape. “Our country is facing serious housing affordability challenges,” Carson said in a statement for this report. HUD SECRETARY CARSON WANTS TO ROLL BACK OBAMA MANDATE ON GENDER IDENTITY IN HOMELESS SHELTERSCritics point to assorted zoning, rent control, permitting and environmental regulations as the culprit for high prices. Though they have not issued a formal plan yet, Carson and department officials have talked about the burden of local regulations and the impact on housing costs. However, he said the prevailing wage of $37 per hour discourages construction bids, along with the difficulty for developers to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, and has stalled the vast initiative.

Source: Fox News June 10, 2019 13:15 UTC