85. Dr. Ryan-Collins - 2023 Annual Conference: Why is Housing so Unaffordable? Causes and Solutions

Today, our discussion comes from our most recent annual conference: Why is Housing so Unaffordable? Causes and Solutions. For the next twelve weeks, our discussions will revolve around the topic of housing and house prices with three subtopics. The first will be root causes, followed by an evaluation of current policy responses, and finishes with alternatives to current policy and thinking around affordability. Our first discussion was held with Dr. Ryan-Collins, an economist for the University of London. Dr. Ryan-Collins received his bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Warwick in sociology and industrial relations, respectively, and his Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Southampton. His research focuses on macroeconomic stability, housing and land, and sustainable development. He was a Senior Economist for the New Economics Foundation and a council member of the Progressive Economy Forum. Both advocate for macroeconomic policy that promotes sustainable development and reduces inequality. He is also the author of numerous books and journals, including Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing, Why Can’t You Afford Home, Where Does Money Come From?. All offer a progressive analysis of recent global macroeconomic trends. Currently, Professor Ryan-Collins is a professor of Economics and Finance at the University College of London. Together, we discussed some of the trends going on within housing, what caused the decline in homeownership in developed nations, and why some of the classical theories around land ownership may need rethinking.  To check out more of our content, including our research and policy tools, visit our website: https://www.hgsss.org/