By: Emer

Emer — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 15:12:34 +0000

The solution to the problem of affordable living and working in cities has been studied for many generations and the same solution is either found or reinvented each time i.e. French Physiocrats, Thomas Paine, Henry George, Michael Davitt. It is simply to recapture the societal created value that attaches to land – that the landowner steals – and give it directly or indirectly back to the people. Land is a natural monopoly, therefore it is most efficiently and fairly held ‘in common’ and a fee charged for its use otherwise the landowner can levy extortionate rents and purchase costs on everyone else ;- the evidence abounds to support this outcome.
But since freehold ownership is now so well established in the minds of people, a tax on value added by the infrastructure and services provided by the public, might be easier to explain and sell to the public. Obviously the building on the land should not be similarly taxed/charged because the owner invested his own energy and money in its construction and/or maintenance and the building makes a contribution to the community.
Another approach is to gradually assemble land – starting with public land- and put it into a commons trust and a charge a ground rent for its use that is shared within the local and wider community. Further, the freehold of public land including that under public housing should never be sold, but the homes or building on it can be sold without affecting affordability. See http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/. Housing, that is bricks and mortar , can be treated as a commodity — as long the land is kept out of the market!
All the other approaches to making cities affordable for the ordinary people are mere tinkering around the edges or worse, obfuscate the issue and serve to protect the thieves.
“The meek shall inherit the Earth”

Comments on: What Cities Are Doing About Affordable Space

By: Emer