Booked on Planning
Booked on Planning
Booked on Planning
Homelessness is a Housing Problem
34 minutes Posted Jun 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
Episode Introduction
Understanding Homelessness Data Collection
Defining Homelessness and Its Variations
Risk Factors vs. Root Causes
Housing Market Conditions Drive Regional Differences
Debunking Weather and Magnet Theories
Can Building More Housing Solve Homelessness?
Systems Approach to Homelessness
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Show notes
Addiction, mental illness, or poverty may explain why an individual may lose their housing—but these factors fail to explain why Seattle has five times more homelessness than Chicago. Through rigorous analysis, Colburn demonstrates that high rent prices and low vacancy rates are the true culprits behind regional homelessness variations. This revelation transforms how we should approach solutions. Colburn advocates reframing housing as essential infrastructure—just as we invest billions in ro...