Which of the following factors make housing supply inelastic in Seattle?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents a question about factors that make housing supply inelastic in Seattle, but the list of answer choices is missing. Without explicit options to evaluate, we cannot perform a choice-by-choice analysis exactly as requested. Nonetheless, we can reason about the general factors that commonly contribute to inelastic housing supply in Seattle and how they might be framed as answer options.

First, consider the kinds of constraints that typically drive inelastic supply in a city like Seattle. Zoning regulations often limit the amount of new housing that can be built in desirable neighborhoods, restricting density and project size. If an option stated something like 'restrictive zoning limits new construction,' it would be describing a key mechanism.

Second, the permitting and approval process can be lengthy and uncertain. When answer choices mention delays, complex regulatory review, or high permitting costs, these are credible contributors to supply inelasticity because they raise the time and financial risk of development.

Third, high construction costs—labor, materials, and land acquisition—make new projects financially less attractive, especially for mid- to high-density housing. An option referencing elevated development costs would align with this effect.

Fourth, geographic and environmental constraints often limit buildable land and add constraints on where and how much can be built. An option noting limited available land or environmental protections restricting development would be relevant.

Fifth, strong community opposition or NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) sentiments can suppress new construction in existing neighborhoods, contributing to inelastic supply. An option mentioning local opposition, permit delay motivated by community groups, or political resistance would be consistent with this.

Sixth, infrastructure or utility capacity limitations can cap the scale of new housing, particularly in areas with constrained water, sewer, or transit infrastructure. An option that points to capacity constraints would fit this cause.

If the original question had a choice like 'All of the above,' in a typical setup that would be correct because Seattle’s inelastic housing supply commonly arises from a combination of zoning, regulations, costs, geography, and community dynamics—provided each listed factor is indeed present as an option. However, since the actual set of options is missing, we cannot confirm that all listed factors were proposed.

In summary, when evaluating factors that make Seattle housing supply inelastic, look for options that cover: restrictive zoning and density limits, lengthy and costly permitting, high construction expenses, scarcity of developable land, environmental/regulatory constraints, infrastructure bottlenecks, and strong local opposition. Any single option claiming one narrow cause would be less convincing than a comprehensive set that includes multiple, interacting constraints.

ECON&201 15109 Elasticity of Supply - Why is Housing So Expensive?

Which of the following factors make housing supply inelastic in Seattle?

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