Demystifying the Housing Crisis | Chris Marco | TEDxMacatawa

Housing costs and shortages are often blamed on many different causes, and people frequently disagree about what is behind the housing crisis. In this TEDxMacatawa talk, Chris Marco, Director of Community Development at Lakeshore Advantage, separates common housing myths from housing realities. He describes communities in West Michigan that are already working on housing solutions and argues that addressing a national problem begins with local planning commissions.

• Separating housing myths from housing realities
• A road trip through communities already building housing solutions
• Why local planning commissions matter for a national housing problem

Ask 10 people what’s causing the housing crisis and you’ll get 10 different answers. Chris Marco separates housing myths from housing realities, takes a road trip through communities already building solutions, and shows why fixing a national problem starts at your local planning commission. Chris Marco is the first-ever Director of Community Development at Lakeshore Advantage, where he supports housing initiatives in Allegan and Ottawa counties. A 26-year native of West Michigan, Chris cares deeply about the region’s communities and the people who call them home. Chris has previously presented at the International Conference on Urban Affairs and the Midwest Political Science Association. He has also delivered guest lectures and published research in Governing Magazine, Public Square: A CNU Journal, and The Urbanist. A proud Laker for a Lifetime, Chris holds degrees in Public Administration and Political Science from Grand Valley State University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx