Monte Wilson: If Santa Barbara Wants More Housing, Incentives Beat Mandates

If Santa Barbara truly wants to solve its housing shortage, we have to be honest about one thing: people respond far better to incentives than to punishment.

Adding more ordinances, mandates and restrictions may feel decisive and play well for political campaigns, but they rarely produce more housing.

Incentives, on the other hand, encourage participation, unlock supply and, properly structured, create lasting solutions.

If we want different outcomes, we need a different approach.

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