Question

Can you propose a policy that would induce the market to supply more rental housing units?

Short answer

To induce the market to supply more rental housing units, a potential policy could be the implementation of tax incentives for landlords who provide rental housing units. This can be achieved through tax credits or reductions, encouraging the development of new units and improvement of existing ones. An example of such a policy could be offering a tax credit program where landlords can claim 20% of construction or renovation costs as tax credits and an additional 10% for offering affordable housing to low-income households. This policy would stimulate investment in rental housing construction and improvements while incentivizing landlords to offer more rental units at lower prices, ultimately increasing the overall supply of rental housing units in the market.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding factors affecting supply of rental housing units

The supply of rental housing units is influenced by conditions such as construction costs, financing, property taxes, maintenance costs, and potential rental income. Government policies and regulations can also impact the supply of housing units.

Propose a policy to increase rental housing supply

Based on the factors affecting the supply of rental housing units, we can propose the following policy:

Implementation of Tax Incentives

Implement tax incentives for landlords who provide rental housing units. This can be done through tax credits or reductions to encourage the development of new rental units and the improvement of existing units. Landlords can use the tax incentives to offset construction, renovation, and maintenance costs, making it more financially attractive for them to provide more rental housing.

Example of Tax Incentive Policy

A potential tax incentive policy could be as follows: Implement a tax credit program for landlords providing rental housing units, where 20% of the construction or renovation costs can be claimed as tax credits. This program would also offer an additional tax credit of, say, 10% for landlords who offer affordable housing to low-income households. This policy has the potential to stimulate investment in rental housing construction and improvements, as well as incentivizing landlords to offer more rental units at lower prices to cater to the demand from low-income households. Overall, this policy would likely increase the total supply of rental housing units in the market.