Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
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Fed Rate Cuts Will Only Lead to More Inflation
DETROIT, Michigan, Nov. 9 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following news:
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Fed Rate Cuts Will Only Lead to More Inflation
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Government intervention, not a lack of monetary supply, impedes growth.
On October 29, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered its benchmark interest rate (Federal Funds Rate) by 25 basis points, setting it between 3.75% and 4%. This decision follows a similar rate cut made in September. Notably, these decisions were made while inflation continued to rise, and remained much above the Fed's long-term target of 2%.
Given these factors, the Fed should
... Show Full Article
DETROIT, Michigan, Nov. 9 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following news:
* * *
Fed Rate Cuts Will Only Lead to More Inflation
*
Government intervention, not a lack of monetary supply, impedes growth.
On October 29, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered its benchmark interest rate (Federal Funds Rate) by 25 basis points, setting it between 3.75% and 4%. This decision follows a similar rate cut made in September. Notably, these decisions were made while inflation continued to rise, and remained much above the Fed's long-term target of 2%.
Given these factors, the Fed shouldnot have cut federal funds rate, but raised them. Let's explain.
The Fed's interest rate is the main tool for managing the monetary supply. When the rate increases, the supply of money in circulation decreases; when the rate decreases, the supply increases.
As Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman stated, "Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon, in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in output." In this sense, lowering the federal funds rate will lead to an increase in the monetary supply, which will result, inevitably, in higher inflation.
Throughout 2025, inflation in the US, as measured by both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE), has remained above the Fed's target. The PCE is important because it is the indicator used by the Fed to set its inflation target.
The CPI rose from 2.3% in April to 3.0% in September, while the PCE increased from 2.3% to an estimated 2.8% over the same period. With this in mind, economists from the Monetarist School like Milton Friedman would argue that raising interest rates would have been a more appropriate response to persistent inflation.
Some policymakers and commentators, including President Donald Trump, have advocated lower interest rates, believing that increasing the monetary supply can stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment. However, economic theory and historical evidence suggest that expanding the monetary supply only leads, in the long run, to higher inflation, not greater economic growth.
On the contrary, evidence shows that inflation, even low, discourages economic growth and job creation.
We must end the myth that printing money stimulates economic growth and reduces unemployment. If printing money fosters economic growth, why bother working, investing and innovating? In this sense, one of the biggest mistakes in US legislation is the Federal Reserve Reform Act of 1977 where it gave the "dual mandate" to the Fed:
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee shall maintain long-run growth of the monetary and credit aggregates commensurate with the economy's long run potential to increase production, so as to promote effectively the goals of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates.
Since the only consequence of a more rapid increase in the quantity of money can be inflation, and not output or more employment, the Federal Reserve Act should be reformed to say:
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee shall maintain long-run growth of the monetary aggregates commensurate with stable prices defined as zero variation in the Consumer Price Index in the long run.
The biggest obstacle to economic growth is excessive government intervention, not a lack of monetary supply. To foster economic growth, the prescription should be more economic freedom: lower taxes, reduced public spending, deregulation to allow greater competition and let markets do their job, ending the Fed, and slashing and eliminating all tariffs to promote free trade. Cutting the Fed's fund rates will only increase inflation.
While the Federal Reserve currently targets a long-term inflation rate of 2%, some economists, including Thomas Hoenig, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, argue that the ideal central bank target should be zero.
Even low inflation distorts price signals, misleading entrepreneurs about true scarcities and consumer preferences. This misalignment hampers economic calculation, reduces potential growth, and ultimately increases unemployment. In other words, any inflation, even minimal, impedes growthit does not foster it.
Setting a long-term inflation target of zero is crucial for sound economic policy.
Ultimately, the best option would be to end central banking and allow the free supply and demand of money. There is nothing in economics that justifies the existence of central banking. As Nobel Laureate Friedrich Hayek said in Denationalisation of Money :
There is no answer in the available literature to the question why a government monopoly of the provision of money [central banking] is universally regarded as indispensable... It has the defects of all monopolies: and one must use its product even if it is unsatisfactory.
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Original text here: https://fee.org/articles/fed-rate-cuts-will-only-lead-to-more-inflation/
Space Foundation and Arcfield Host Space in the Community Event in Fairfax County, Virginia
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Nov. 8 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Space Foundation and Arcfield Host Space in the Community Event in Fairfax County, Virginia
Free STEM-Focused Family Event for the Fairfax Community
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FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va -- Space Foundation's Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT) and Arcfield are proud to partner once again for Space in the Community (SITC), bringing a week of space exploration and STEM fun to Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, from Nov. 17-21, 2025.
"We are excited to continue our partnership
... Show Full Article
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Nov. 8 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Space Foundation and Arcfield Host Space in the Community Event in Fairfax County, Virginia
Free STEM-Focused Family Event for the Fairfax Community
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FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va -- Space Foundation's Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT) and Arcfield are proud to partner once again for Space in the Community (SITC), bringing a week of space exploration and STEM fun to Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, from Nov. 17-21, 2025.
"We are excited to continue our partnershipwith Arcfield to bring this weeklong STEM celebration to Fairfax County students, teachers, and families," said Heidi Vasiloff, senior director of Space Foundation's Discovery Center. "We hope that astronauts, James Webb Space Telescope projects, and hands-on STEM lessons will inspire students to pursue bold dreams in science and exploration."
"Arcfield is proud to support Space Foundation and its mission to foster a passion for space among our youth," said Kevin Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Arcfield. "Events like SITC are critical to cultivating the next generation of innovators and explorers and we are honored to be able to bring this program to our home county."
Through SITC programming, Space Foundation's Space Workforce team will visit elementary and middle schools in Fairfax County Public Schools. Teachers will receive space-focused lesson plans and materials for easy curriculum integration. Students will explore the James Webb Space Telescope with hands-on STEM activities and learn about its discoveries. They will also meet Blue Origin astronaut Dr. George C. Nield at their school.
"What an amazing opportunity for our students to learn about space exploration from the astronauts who have been there," said Dr. Michelle C. Reid, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent. "Learning happens best in community and partnerships with organizations like the Space Foundation are what give FCPS students an advantage that will benefit them long after graduation. A classroom visit from an astronaut today could inspire a Fairfax County student to lead the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians tomorrow."
This marks the first year Space Foundation and Fairfax County Public Schools have partnered to launch a SITC program for the community. The initiative supports Goal 5 of the district's Strategic Plan -- inspiring students to lead tomorrow's innovation. The district expects the program to deliver equitable STEM access and opportunity to every student.
Local media are invited to cover SITC programming on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 1:15-3:15 p.m. at North Springfield Elementary School, 602 Heming Court, North Springfield, Va., and the community night on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Dogwood Elementary School, 12300 Glade Drive, Reston, Va.
Community Night Event Highlights
* Meet Astronauts: Engage with Dr. George C. Nield, president of Commercial Space Technologies, LLC, and chairman of the Global Spaceport Alliance. He rocketed to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard in March 2022.
* STEM Activities: Build large telescopes, create a JWST mirror mural, explore light paths with Indis, exoplanet fishing, and infrared technology.
* Family Fun for All Ages: Enjoy engaging, educational activities designed to inspire curiosity and passion for STEM fields.
* Interactive Learning: Explore cutting-edge space science and technology through exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, and labs.
For more information on the Space in the Community program and to get involved, visit discoverspace.org/space-in-the-community.
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About Arcfield
Arcfield was purpose-built to protect the nation and its allies through innovations in systems engineering and integration, space and mission launch assurance, cybersecurity, and conventional and hypersonic missile support. Headquartered in Chantilly, VA with 16 global offices, Arcfield employs more than 1,600 engineers, analysts, IT specialists, and other professionals with more than 65 years of continuous experience supporting missions in cyber and space defense, hypersonic and nuclear deterrence, and warfighter readiness. Visit arcfield.com for more details.
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About Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), located in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a leading public school division in both the Washington, D.C., region and the nation. FCPS inspires and empowers students to meet high academic standards, lead healthy, ethical lives, and be responsible and innovative global citizens. The ninth-largest school division in the United States, FCPS serves a diverse population of nearly 183,000 students, speaking over 200 languages, across 199 schools and centers.
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About Space Foundation
Space Foundation advances the global space community through education, collaboration and information. Founded in 1983, the nonprofit brings together space professionals, educators and leaders from around the world to highlight how space benefits life on Earth and beyond. As a charitable organization, Space Foundation is supported by members, sponsors, individuals and grants. Learn more at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.spacefoundation.org/2025/11/07/space-foundation-and-arcfield-host-space-in-the-community-event-in-fairfax-county-virginia/
20 States Officially Recognize November as COPD Awareness Month
MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 8 -- The COPD Foundation issued the following news release:
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20 states officially recognize November as COPD Awareness Month
In a joint advocacy effort between the COPD Foundation and the COPD Action Alliance, 20 states have officially recognized November as COPD Awareness Month.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
"This
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 8 -- The COPD Foundation issued the following news release:
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20 states officially recognize November as COPD Awareness Month
In a joint advocacy effort between the COPD Foundation and the COPD Action Alliance, 20 states have officially recognized November as COPD Awareness Month.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
"Thisrecognition of November as COPD Awareness Month at a state level is a powerful acknowledgement of the need to prioritize people's lung health and raise awareness of the millions of Americans living with COPD," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "By elevating awareness at the state level, our organizations are driving important conversations about the need for earlier diagnosis and support for people affected by COPD."
States issuing official recognition of COPD Awareness Month are:
1. Arizona
2. Colorado
3. Connecticut
4. Florida
5. Georgia
6. Illinois
7. Kentucky
8. Maine
9. Maryland
10. Mississippi
11. New Hampshire
12. New Jersey
13. North Carolina
14. North Dakota
15. Ohio
16. Tennessee
17. Virginia
18. Washington
19. West Virginia
20. Wisconsin
For more information about how to get involved with COPD Awareness Month activities and become a lung health champion, visit copdfoundation.org.
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About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Original text here: https://www.copdfoundation.org/About-Us/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Article/2320/20-states-officially-recognize-November-as-COPD-Awareness-Month.aspx
Reason Foundation Issues Commentary: Staircase Rule That's Limiting Housing Growth
LOS ANGELES, California, Nov. 7 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on Nov. 6, 2025:
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The staircase rule that's limiting housing growth
Revisiting the two-stair requirement in building code could improve spatial efficiency and expand housing options.
By Christina Mojica, Land use and Housing Policy Analyst
Across the United States, policymakers are rethinking how zoning affects housing supply, and a growing number of states are enacting reforms to make it easier to build. Yet, one area of regulation remains largely untouched and rarely questioned in public debate:
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, Nov. 7 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on Nov. 6, 2025:
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The staircase rule that's limiting housing growth
Revisiting the two-stair requirement in building code could improve spatial efficiency and expand housing options.
By Christina Mojica, Land use and Housing Policy Analyst
Across the United States, policymakers are rethinking how zoning affects housing supply, and a growing number of states are enacting reforms to make it easier to build. Yet, one area of regulation remains largely untouched and rarely questioned in public debate:the building code. Because building codes are closely associated with safety, revisiting them often feels uncomfortable. Their purpose is to protect life and property, though many of their underlying provisions date back nearly a century. The modern International Building Code, which most states and cities rely on, was first published in 2000, yet its foundations rest on safety conventions developed in the 1930s. In a world where construction materials, engineering methods, and fire prevention systems have all transformed, it is worth asking whether rules written for another era still make sense today.
Among the most influential yet overlooked aspects of the building code are its egress, or exit, requirements. In most jurisdictions, apartment buildings above three stories must include two separate staircases to allow occupants to evacuate during a fire. This rule originated in the early 20th century, when fire spread rapidly through wood-frame structures and safety systems such as sprinklers and smoke containment did not yet exist. While the intent remains sound, ensuring safe escape during emergencies, the rule's rigidity now limits the kinds of multifamily housing that can be built, particularly smaller and mid-rise apartments that fall between single-family homes and high-rise towers.
Although it may appear that revisiting these safety standards means trading safety for cheaper or easier construction, that is not the case. Modern building practices have advanced far beyond what older codes account for, and most developers are constructing safer buildings than ever before. Nearly all new multifamily projects include sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, pressurized stairwells, and fire-resistant materials that significantly reduce the risk of smoke, which remains the greatest danger associated with stairwell safety during a fire. Compartmentalized floor plans and automatic suppression systems further limit exposure and contain flames within a single unit. Research consistently shows that the number of staircases in a building is far less predictive of safety outcomes than the presence of these systems, which are now standard features in contemporary construction. This means that older, still-in-force regulations requiring multiple stairwells are less effective and redundant in light of new practices. Such redundancy leads to higher costs and fewer dwelling units than could be accomplished with more up-to-date requirements.
Many developed nations reflect this same understanding in their building codes. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia permit single-stair residential buildings well above the U.S. height limit of three stories, with research finding no higher fire-related risk. Canada, for example, allows such buildings up to six stories, while France permits them up to 16 stories, yet both maintain lower residential fire fatality rates than the U.S. The United States records roughly 1.1 residential fire deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 0.5 in the United Kingdom and 0.4 in Canada, despite their more flexible egress standards. This disparity in fire-related deaths suggests that comprehensive fire-safety strategies such as sprinklers, pressurized stairwells, and smoke containment are the true determinants of safety outcomes, not the number of staircases a building contains.
Design, livability, and housing supply
Revisiting the two-stair requirement could also improve spatial efficiency and expand housing options. A second staircase consumes valuable interior space, often lengthening corridors and reducing the number of possible apartments per floor. Further, when this constraint is removed, developers can construct dual-aspect units (apartments with windows on two sides), enhancing natural light, airflow, and livability. In one modeled comparison, the single-stair design accommodated 10 apartments per floor compared with nine in the two-stair version and provided six wheelchair-accessible units instead of four. The freed space can be used in different ways, whether for additional units, larger floor plans, or improved features and amenities, depending on how developers choose to design the building. This design flexibility also allows for a greater range of apartment types, including family-oriented two-, three-, and four-bedroom units, within a compact footprint.
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Figure 1. Comparison between traditional double-loaded corridor design (left) and smart stair configuration (center and right), which allows a range of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. (Source: Colorado Governor's Office, 2024) (https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-attend-denvers-first-ever-smart-stair-housing-competition-smart-stair)
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Studies also indicate that single-stair mid-rise buildings with compact floor plates can reduce total construction costs by roughly 6% to 13% compared to similar dual-stair designs, further improving their financial viability.
From a policy standpoint, these design efficiencies can make development feasible on smaller or irregular infill lots, specifically the sites often left vacant in urban areas due to design restrictions. Grouping minimum lot size reform, density reform, and reforms allowing single-stair layouts could facilitate mid-rise "missing middle" housing--three- to six-story buildings that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Such buildings tend to integrate more harmoniously into existing neighborhoods while providing attainable homes near transit and employment centers.
Importantly, the discussion around affordability should recognize that cost savings derived from code flexibility can directly influence project feasibility. Reducing excessive internal space requirements does not compromise safety and allows resources to be reallocated toward quality finishes, energy efficiency, or additional units. Developers respond to both the profit motive and the cost structure imposed by regulation; adjusting those structures can stimulate new housing production at little to no cost to the taxpayer without direct subsidies.
Policy reform momentum and a balanced path forward
A growing number of jurisdictions are beginning to reexamine building codes through this lens. Seattle updated its building code in 2024 to allow single-stair buildings up to six stories when equipped with sprinklers, pressurized stairwells, and limited evacuation distances. Hawaii and Washington, D.C., are conducting similar studies, and New York City has initiated a review of its egress standards in light of advancements in suppression and smoke-control systems. These reforms reflect a shift toward performance-based regulation, where compliance is measured by safety outcomes rather than by prescriptive design rules.
Critically, reform efforts are proceeding with caution. Policymakers and fire-safety experts emphasize that single-stair layouts should remain limited to mid-rise buildings with comprehensive safety systems and robust construction materials. Evidence supports this threshold: both international practice and empirical testing indicate that buildings within this height range (three- to six-story buildings) can maintain safe egress conditions during fire events when modern systems are present.
Understanding that the greatest fire risks occur in older, noncompliant buildings reframes the debate. Encouraging new construction under contemporary codes not only adds housing but also improves safety overall by replacing aging, higher-risk structures. Updating the egress standard retires old, out-of-date rules that no longer enhance safety with proven modern safety engineering that also serves public needs for housing.
Building codes interact with zoning, permitting, and infrastructure requirements to shape the feasibility of new housing. When outdated internal standards persist, they inadvertently restrict production and inflate costs with no added benefit to anyone. Modernizing these codes allows cities to respond to both safety expectations and affordability challenges with equal rigor--an approach that's both smarter and safer. Ultimately, the single-stair discussion is part of a broader movement to align building regulations with current technology and housing demand. The data show that under modern safety systems, single-stair mid-rises achieve comparable safety performance to traditional two-stair buildings simply through codifying already-standard practices. Updating the code to reflect that reality would not only encourage innovation but also ensure that new homes are built to the highest contemporary standards of safety, design, and livability.
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Christina Mojica is a land use and housing policy analyst at Reason Foundation.
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Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/the-staircase-rule-thats-limiting-housing-growth/
MA Costal Resilience Plan Marks Progress, But Stronger Development Safeguards Are Overdue
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 7 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 6, 2025:
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MA Costal Resilience Plan Marks Progress, but Stronger Development Safeguards Are Overdue
Massachusetts can't protect communities while still allowing building in flood-prone areas
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Massachusetts has released its ResilientCoasts plan, outlining strategies to address threats from sea level rise, storm surge, and coastal erosion. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) commends the state for taking this important step to prepare communities for worsening climate impacts, but warns
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 7 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 6, 2025:
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MA Costal Resilience Plan Marks Progress, but Stronger Development Safeguards Are Overdue
Massachusetts can't protect communities while still allowing building in flood-prone areas
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Massachusetts has released its ResilientCoasts plan, outlining strategies to address threats from sea level rise, storm surge, and coastal erosion. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) commends the state for taking this important step to prepare communities for worsening climate impacts, but warnsthat the plan's success depends on long-overdue action to halt new development in flood-prone areas.
"This plan is an important step forward in preparing Massachusetts for the realities of climate change," said Ali Hiple, senior policy analyst at CLF. "The plan includes smart strategies like a voluntary buyout program and nature-based solutions. But it will be for naught if we keep allowing new development in areas we already know will flood. Every new home or business built in harm's way puts more families, livelihoods, and taxpayer dollars at risk. We can't keep pouring money into rebuilding in the same vulnerable areas. The state must pair this plan with common-sense, long-overdue standards to stop unsafe development and truly safeguard our coastal communities for the long term."
The ResilientCoasts plan identifies key vulnerabilities along Massachusetts' coastline and recommends strategies to improve community preparedness and infrastructure resilience. However, without enforceable regulations restricting development in high-risk flood zones, these efforts will fall short of protecting residents and reducing future damage.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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Original text here: https://www.clf.org/newsroom/ma-costal-resilience-plan-marks-progress-but-stronger-development-safeguards-are-overdue/
It's not who owns homes. It's how few we build.
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 7 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation posted the following news release:
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It's not who owns homes. It's how few we build.
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When my family moved to Georgia three years ago, we decided to rent first. We wanted time to get to know the area before making a long-term commitment. So we did what most people do: We narrowed down neighborhoods, browsed Zillow listings, toured a few homes, compared rents, weighed commute times and tried to find a place that fit our budget and our life.
What I didn't realize at the time was that the home we chose was owned by one of
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 7 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation posted the following news release:
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It's not who owns homes. It's how few we build.
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When my family moved to Georgia three years ago, we decided to rent first. We wanted time to get to know the area before making a long-term commitment. So we did what most people do: We narrowed down neighborhoods, browsed Zillow listings, toured a few homes, compared rents, weighed commute times and tried to find a place that fit our budget and our life.
What I didn't realize at the time was that the home we chose was owned by one ofthe biggest political bogeymen in Georgia's housing debate.
If you've followed the conversation even casually, you've heard the claim: Large institutional investors are "buying up" homes, driving prices sky-high and locking families out of the market. The villains in this narrative are faceless corporate landlordsWall Street firms snapping up starter homes and renting them back to the very people who might've bought them.
But like most stories that sound that simple, this one has more layers. And it's worth separating the easy headlines from what's actually happening on the ground.
A new report from the Georgia Public Policy Foundation takes a close look at institutional investors in metro Atlanta and finds that their role in rising housing costs is much smaller than headlines suggest. Yes, institutional ownership is concentrated here, but no, it isn't the main driver of high prices or low homeownership. Those problems have deeper roots in housing policy, lending rules and a chronic failure to build enough homes.
Institutional investors, defined variously as real-estate trusts, private-equity funds and other large firms, own a notable share of Atlanta's single-family rental market. By some counts, that share is 25-30% of rentals, though only a fraction of the total housing stock.
We found a key distinction often lost in the political rhetoric: Investors didn't create Georgia's affordability crisis. Rather, they entered markets already defined by rapid population growth and limited supply. Like water flowing into a low spot, capital goes where conditions make it most productive. When zoning rules, lot-size minimums and permitting delays restrict new construction, prices rise and investors naturally follow.
Despite thin evidence, lawmakers in both parties have raced to curb institutional ownership. But such efforts risk mistaking a symptom for the disease. Limiting investor activity might briefly ease competition for entry-level homes, yet it would also shrink rental supply. This hurts the very families shut out of homeownership. As the Foundation report notes, researchers increasingly find that large-scale landlords can expand housing options by converting unused or foreclosed properties into rentals, improving management quality and offering mobility to tenants who prefer to rent.
Georgia's housing shortage didn't start with institutional investors. It started with the Great Recession. After 2008, homebuilding collapsed and has never fully recovered. For decades, Georgia added roughly 2.5% to its housing stock each year. Since 2007, it hasn't topped 1.5%. Even modest growth in population has far outpaced new construction.
This "lost decade" coincided with the rise of large-scale investors, which made them an easy scapegoat. But if investor buying was truly "shutting homebuyers out," Georgia could have countered it by permitting even a few tenths of a percent more new homes each year. The real obstacle wasn't Wall Street capital but local land-use policy.
There's another overlooked barrier: post-crisis lending rules. The Dodd-Frank Act's "Qualified Mortgage" standards, designed to prevent risky lending, have effectively locked millions of responsible, mortgage-readyAmericans out of the mortgage market. Two decades ago, only one-quarter of home loans went to borrowers with "superprime" credit scores above 760. Today, that share is nearly 70%.
The result is predictable. Even families who could manage a mortgage but fall short of today's narrow credit standards can't qualify to buy, leaving them dependent on rentalsincluding those owned by institutional investors. In that sense, investor-owned homes have become a bridge for families boxed out by federal policy.
Metro Atlanta's demographics and regulatory environment magnify these trends. Population growth, economic opportunity and tight zoning have created affordability challenges and fertile ground for investors. In counties like Paulding and Henrywhere investor concentration is highestowner-occupancy is still rising, showing that homebuyers and renters coexist within a dynamic, if constrained, market.
Studies have suggested that institutional landlords can lower rents in aggregate by increasing professionally managed rental supply and attracting tenants from lower-income neighborhoods into higher-opportunity areas. These are not the outcomes of predation, but of scale and efficiency.
Georgia's housing crisis will not be solved by vilifying investors or imposing ownership caps. It will be solved by building more homes of every kind. That means tackling the real cost drivers: zoning restrictions, minimum lot sizes, construction delays and a mortgage system that rewards only the wealthiest buyers.
The Foundation's report offers a sobering reminder: Even in metro Atlanta, where investor activity is highest, institutional ownership explains only a sliver of what drives housing costs. Policymakers who focus on curbing investors risk missing the forest for the trees.
Housing affordability is ultimately a matter of supply and access, not ownership type. Georgia's challenge isn't that too many investors are buying homesit's that too few homes are being built, and too few families can qualify to buy them.
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Original text here: https://www.georgiapolicy.org/news/its-not-who-owns-homes-its-how-few-we-build/
Foundation for Economic Education Launches Second Cycle of Enterprising Founder Award to Empower Education Entrepreneurs
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 -- Nasiyah Isra-Ul, LiberatED Education Associate at the Foundation for Economic Education, announced the launch of the second cycle of the Enterprising Founder Award to celebrate and support education entrepreneurs driving change through free-market principles.
Reflecting on the program's first year, Isra-Ul highlighted the success of awardees including Jessica Slayback and Victoria Forsman of REALM, Mercedes Grant of Path of Life Learning, and Coi Morefield of The Lab School of Memphis, whose initiatives grew with funding and recognition. She emphasized that the award's purpose
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 -- Nasiyah Isra-Ul, LiberatED Education Associate at the Foundation for Economic Education, announced the launch of the second cycle of the Enterprising Founder Award to celebrate and support education entrepreneurs driving change through free-market principles.
Reflecting on the program's first year, Isra-Ul highlighted the success of awardees including Jessica Slayback and Victoria Forsman of REALM, Mercedes Grant of Path of Life Learning, and Coi Morefield of The Lab School of Memphis, whose initiatives grew with funding and recognition. She emphasized that the award's purposeextends beyond celebration, serving as vital capital and community support for founders seeking to reimagine learning outside traditional systems.
-- Shanskar Shaw
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When the idea of a free-market founder award at the Lab was suggested, I was thrilled. This award is specifically designed to honor education entrepreneurs using the core principles of the free market to design, build, and grow their own learning spaces. Exciting and necessary! I know from firsthand experience as an education entrepreneur how important recognition, funding, and community are, especially when you're just starting out.
My excitement continued to grow as the applications started rolling inover 100 of them! After months of sharing the opportunity on social media, combing through applications, careful consideration, and lots of deliberation, we selected the first three awardees. It was powerful to read every application and see the impact that this award program had on so many, even for those who didn't win. Yet, I had no idea how much impact this award program would create in just its first year.
It's been a full year since those first awardees were honored publicly, and as we open up the new award cycle, I decided to check back in with our 2024 winners to see how being recognized as an Enterprising Founder has supported their endeavors.
Jessica and Victoria's Update
Jessica Slayback and Victoria Forsman are the co-founders of REALM, an innovative private learning program geared towards homeschooling families based in Santa Monica, California. "REALM was built entirely through entrepreneurial vision and market responsiveness. Every class, program, and initiative has been shaped by the choices of our families and teachers," Jessica says.
Jessica and Victoria were the first-place winners of last year's Enterprising Founder Award, receiving a $5,000 grant and tons of digital publicity. When they first heard about the award, it was the mission behind it that drew them to apply. "We saw the award as an opportunity to connect with like-minded innovators who believe that education thrives when it's driven by creativity, autonomy, and community rather than bureaucracy."
Jessica added, "Winning the FEE Enterprising Founder Award was both a celebration and a turning point. It reaffirmed that the work we've poured into REALM for over a decade is part of a broader movement reshaping education." And, a year after winning, that vision has only grown! The grant allowed them to expand their technological infrastructure and prepare their programs for expansion, while also piloting a program that will teach educators how to use REALM's pedagogical methods in their own classrooms. They hope eventually to create a certification program for founders. "Most importantly, the funding amplified our confidence and visibility and served as both seed capital and validation to attract additional support from our growing network of families, educators, and partners."
Mercedes's Update
Mercedes Grant is the founder of Path of Life Learning, a microschool in Yorktown, Virginia. She started her microschool so that she "could offer children a joyful place to learn." Mercedes says that while Path of Life Learning values high-quality academic experiences, "we also recognize that children need to be equally exposed to a variety of non-academic learning experiences." This is something that the traditional school system did not encourage, Mercedes says, "especially among students with exceptionalities."
Mercedes was a runner-up last year, receiving an Enterprising Founder title and a $2,500 grant. When asked how winning the award last year has changed things for her, Mercedes says that she has nearly doubled enrollment, added new staff members, and even expanded the enrichment program to offer more than a dozen different course options per quarter. Most excitingly, Mercedes shared with me that she is now also a contender for one of the nation's most prestigious school choice awards, the $1 million Yass Prize !
"The future of education is changing at a rapid pace," Mercedes says. "[] recognizes people that not only encourage but act courageously to maintain this momentum toward education freedom in a free market."
Coi's Update
Coi Morefield is the founder of The Lab School of Memphis. "I started The Lab School of Memphis because I was a parent searching for something that didn't exist. I have twice-exceptional twins, and I was looking for an environment that would truly see them. Not just their gifts in isolation, but the whole, complex, brilliant kids they are."
When Coi first learned about the Enterprising Founder Award, she says, "I felt this surge of hope. I saw it as an opportunity to bring more attention to innovative models like ours. Not just for recognition's sake, but because visibility matters." Coi was selected as another runner-up for the award, also receiving a $2,500 grant. She felt extremely honored to receive the recognition the award provided, and the funding allowed her to continue growing her brand.
The funding allowed Coi to invest in the infrastructure, systems, and resources needed to streamline operations and invest in families. "When we support communities to design education that reflects their values and needs, we're not just changing schools; we're changing trajectories, legacies." Moreover, the award propelled her vision forward, and since then, she has been partnering with public charter schools and other private schools to share learning tools and pedagogy. "We're having these incredible conversations about what learner-centered education can look like at scale, and how we can support all learners within different educational structures. That ripple effect is exactly what I hoped for."
How the Enterprising Founder Award Is Setting a Trend
"The biggest challenge is that traditional funding models don't always align with what we need most," Coi says. "Edupreneurs need resources to build systems that streamline operations, save time, and improve the customer experience, but those things require upfront investment before you see the return. It's hard to get capital for infrastructure when funders want to see immediate programmatic impact." Awards like the Enterprising Founder Award, Coi says, give education entrepreneurs "the runway to build something that lasts..."
Each awardee shared how this recognition has inspired them to keep doing the amazing work they do best, empowering them to dream big and providing a small boost to help them expand. "For us personally, it was an acknowledgment of the courage it takes to stand outside traditional systems and trust that passion, creativity, and community can drive real change," Jessica says. "[The award] also connected us to an inspiring network of innovators and strengthened our belief that education entrepreneurship is the future, a path where freedom, innovation, and heart come together to help children truly flourish."
But the award is doing more than just honoring founders leveraging the free market. is setting a trend in the policy world to help us think differently about sustainable ways to honor, empower, and propel education entrepreneurs like the ones in this article.
For all of these founders, this award is more than recognition; it's providing meaningful capital to help founders prioritize growth. Moreover, it's starting conversations and amplifying the work already being done to change education for the better. As Coi added so beautifully, "If we want learner-centered models to become mainstream rather than niche, people need to know they exist and that they work." That's exactly what this award and our awardees are doing!
I am so excited that this program is being renewed for a second year with even bigger things in store. Right now, applications are open again, and it could be your chance to be honored as an Enterprising Founder. Nominate someone you know by visiting our Instagram page @_edentrepreneur and submit your application today by visiting edentrepreneur.org !
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Original text here: https://fee.org/articles/the-enterprising-founder-award/
