In a letter to Trump seen by the Guardian, Democrats noted that the US imports key construction materials worth billions of dollars – from lumber to cement products – from Canada and Mexico each year.
“Given the severe housing shortage, compounded by rising construction costs, persistent supply chain disruptions, and an estimated shortfall of 6m homes, these looming tariffs, while intended to protect domestic industries, risk further exacerbating the housing supply and affordability crisis while stifling the development of new housing,” they wrote.
In a statement, the White House claimed Trump would use tariffs to “usher in a new era of growth and prosperity” for the US.
Donnie hear ya. Donnie don’t care.
You forget we have plenty of trees! Who needs forests! /s
When you read about American construction companies favouring Canadian lumber, it’s because our growing seasons are shorter > tree rings are closer together > the lumber is stronger and doesn’t warp as much.
Yes you have a lot of trees, but you don’t have a lot of good building-quality trees.
Even better! More frequent repairs is good for business! He doesn’t care about our rising costs.
If you aren’t personally shoving money in his pockets he doesn’t give a fuck about you.
I’m sorry, but if Democrats were really interested in reducing housing costs they would be working on zoning reform. Trump has no control over local zoning, and the really HCOL places are all in “blue” cities.
Two things can be true. Zoning and construction both affect costs
You still think Democrats are relevant. Cute.
How does zoning impact the cost of materials?
I have a good one for you!
It’s more about how zoning can affect material choice which then affects material cost.
Some zoning laws require the use of bricks for X% (15%-100%) of the front of the building. Because bricks are more expensive than the vinyl siding used on the rest of the house, the total materials cost for exterior cladding is increased. The total materials cost could have been lower if the zoning allowed for vinyl siding on 100% of the exterior.
!BuT BriCKs lOoK nICeR!<
Then add in the HOA scourge…
100%.
Coincidentally 100% is also how much the labor rate will increase if your HOA requires stone instead of bricks. (Masons are expensive)
Zoning impacts the cost of housing. In my city, an average house costs millions of dollars – because the zoning does not allow apartments to be built.
