Can lending controls solve the problem of unaffordable housing?
More central banks are tightening curbs on risky lending. But that is unlikely to make housing much cheaper
HOUSE PRICES in the rich world are growing at their fastest rate for 30 years. Those in America rose by a record 19.7% in the year to July, according to figures published on September 28th. House prices measured relative to incomes are above their long run averages in three-quarters of OECD countries. Policymakers nearly everywhere are under increasing pressure to make housing more affordable.
This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Home truths”
Finance & economics October 2nd 2021
- How a housing downturn could wreck China’s growth model
- China’s new political risk premium
- The latest shock to China’s economy: power shortages
- Can lending controls solve the problem of unaffordable housing?
- Two Fed presidents resign after criticism of their investment activities
- Making sense of the chaos in commodity markets
- Just how Dickensian is China?
- Award: Henry Curr
From the October 2nd 2021 edition
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