The Moral Economy of Housing: Normative Perspectives on Florida's Live Local Act

• In Event: Everyday Concerns: Housing and Transit Policy Causes and Consequences

Abstract

This paper offers a normative analysis of Florida's Live Local Act through the lens of moral economy, examining how ethical considerations intersect with economic incentives in housing policy. The Act, which allocates up to $811 million for affordable housing and provides various developer incentives, also preempts local governments from controlling zoning, density, and height restrictions for qualifying projects. While ostensibly aimed at addressing housing affordability, the Act's provisions raise ethical questions about the distribution of benefits and burdens in the housing market. Utilizing the concept of moral economy, this paper scrutinizes whether the Act upholds principles of social justice, community well-being, and equitable development. The study finds that the Act's top-down approach compromises these ethical principles by undermining local autonomy and potentially exacerbating social inequalities. It argues that a truly moral economy of housing would require a more balanced approach that respects local governance while addressing urgent housing needs. The paper concludes with recommendations for aligning the Live Local Act with the ethical imperatives of a moral economy.

Author

• ANNABELLE CAMPBELL, Florida Atlantic University