The Road to Unaffordable
In Bellingham, Washington, the median home price crossed $600,000 while the city's own housing element acknowledged a gap of $133 million per year in affordable housing funding. How did we get here?
This book argues the answer isn't simple greed or market failure. It's policy — six specific layers of regulation that compound on each other, each adding cost, each reducing supply, and each defended by institutions that benefit from the status quo.
The research behind this book includes direct analysis of 760+ public government meetings, exposed through AI-powered briefings that track every vote, every budget decision, and every promise made at the podium.
The Evidence Is Live
Every claim in this book connects to real data you can verify yourself. These counts update automatically as new meetings are briefed and new plans scored.
Meeting Briefings
AI-analyzed government meetings with votes, quotes, and key decisions — the primary source behind the book.
Comp Plan Scores
Every element of Bellingham's comprehensive plan scored for accountability. SAY vs. DO.
Policy Layers
The road visualization — GMA to construction costs. The book's central argument, made interactive.
Jurisdictions Covered
Cities and counties where we brief meetings, score comp plans, and audit budgets — each with a full Place Intelligence page.
Bills & Agenda Items
Ordinances, resolutions, and motions tracked through the legislative process.
Real Briefings Access
Sign up for full access to meeting briefings, study guides, flash cards, and search tools.
Local mental health and housing sales tax authority
State enabling law for county 0.1% levy
See the full investigation →Latest Meeting Briefings
The most recent meetings our team has briefed — updated automatically.
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Why America's housing crisis is no accident
Exposes how the Growth Management Act and local regulations create artificial land scarcity that drives housing costs to crisis levels.