Assessing the Effects of Local Impact Fees and Land-Use Regulations on Workforce Housing in Florida

Housing rents and home prices in many areas of the nation, including Florida, have increased much faster than the cost of construction since the 1990s, squeezing the household budgets of middle- and lower-income families. In this study we examine local impact fees and land-use regulations in several communities throughout southwest Florida and how they have contributed to higher housing costs there. We also discuss policies that can mitigate the upward pressure on housing prices