A 'Mansion Tax' Complicated the Housing Crisis. Could a Federal Bill Fix It?

The Housing Crisis: Your Biggest Questions, Answered

After a week of exploring America’s housing crisis, listeners wanted to know more. WSJ real estate bureau chief Craig Karmin joins What's News host Luke Vargas to tackle your biggest questions from mortgage rates and construction to immigration and tariffs. Listen to all episodes in our series on ideas for fixing the housing crisis. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/how-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-everyone-has-an-idea-837bbe40] Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter [https://www.wsj.com/newsletters/markets-am?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Giving Up the Deed: Is Renting the New American Dream?

Some Americans are trading deeds for leases as homeownership becomes harder to afford. WSJ personal finance reporter Veronica Dagher [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/veronica-dagher?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] joins What's News host Alex Ossola to examine the rise of the "forever renter" and what it could mean for the future of housing and the American Dream. Listen to all episodes in our series on ideas for fixing the housing crisis. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/how-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-everyone-has-an-idea-837bbe40] Further reading:  The Rise of the Forever Renters [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/the-rise-of-the-forever-renters-5538c249?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter [https://www.wsj.com/newsletters/whats-news?mod=WSJ_WNPOD]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

A 'Mansion Tax' Complicated the Housing Crisis. Could a Federal Bill Fix It?

A Los Angeles tax meant to fund affordable housing offers a cautionary tale about the potential unintended consequences of well-intended policies. WSJ reporters Rebecca Picciotto [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/rebecca-picciotto?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] and Paul Kiernan [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/paul-kiernan?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] join What's News host Alex Ossola to explain what that lesson could mean for a bipartisan federal housing bill that President Trump is expected to sign. Listen to all episodes in our series on ideas for fixing the housing crisis. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/how-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-everyone-has-an-idea-837bbe40] Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter [https://www.wsj.com/newsletters/markets-am?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]. Additional reading: Los Angeles Tried to Tax Mansions. Apartment Construction Tanked. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/los-angeles-tried-to-tax-mansions-apartment-construction-tanked-1b908564?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]  Newly Passed Housing Bill Throws Lifeline to Home Builders [https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/newly-passed-housing-bill-throws-lifeline-to-homebuilders-d5dec1d4?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]  A Bill Aimed at Creating Homes Is Leaving Plots Empty Instead [https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/a-bill-aimed-at-creating-homes-is-leaving-plots-empty-instead-c2569d83?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] Senate Passes Housing Bill, Bringing an Investor Ban Closer [https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-03-12-2026/card/senate-passes-housing-bill-bringing-an-investor-ban-closer-orBVtwk4bY0LcK4250fW?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] These Developers Stand to Win in Trump’s Housing-Investor Crackdown [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/these-developers-stand-to-win-in-trumps-housing-investor-crackdown-fed348a7?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Could New Ways of Building Make Housing More Affordable?

America needs more homes, but labor shortages and rising construction costs are making them harder to build. What's News host Luke Vargas talks to WSJ housing reporter Nicole Friedman [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/nicole-friedman?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] about whether factory-built housing, modular construction and other innovations could ease the housing shortage. Listen to all episodes in our series on ideas for fixing the housing crisis. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/how-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-everyone-has-an-idea-837bbe40] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How a Parking Lot Fight Explains America's Housing Shortage

In one neighborhood, a fight over a few parking lots has turned into a proxy battle in America’s housing debate, pitting "Not In My Backyard" politics against "Yes In My Backyard" advocates pushing for more construction. What’s News host Luke Vargas and WSJ reporter Rebecca Picciotto [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/rebecca-picciotto?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD] dive into the persistent zoning tug-of-wars playing out coast-to-coast as communities try to tackle America’s housing shortage. Listen to all episodes in our series on ideas for fixing the housing crisis. [https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/how-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-everyone-has-an-idea-837bbe40] Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter [https://www.wsj.com/newsletters/markets-am?mod=WSJ_YMBPOD]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]