Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris says she will build 3 million homes over four years if elected president. But can the federal government build millions of homes? Northeastern University housing experts say that it will take a toolbox of ideas to dent the housing crisis — and don’t expect the federal government to build suburbs. As for reaching a specific number like 3 million, that is really hard for the federal government to accomplish, experts say.
“At the end of the day, it really depends on the local conditions that are on the ground,” says Alicia Modestino, an associate professor in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and the Department of Economics at Northeastern University. Modestino, who is also the chair of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Board, notes that housing and zoning decisions are primarily made at the local level.
