Could environmental policies dealing with “smart growth” help explain some of today’s rising home prices? Well maybe so according to Ryan Balis of the National Center for Public Policy Research, who has this to say: “Steep increases in property values are often attributed to an area’s appeal for living. However, another more largely overlooked cause is so-called ‘smart growth’ planning. Smart growth development restrictions can create an overall shortage of affordable housing, particularly for those with low and moderate incomes. Indeed, our research indicates there is mounting evidence that smart growth policies have already prevented thousands of American households from their claim of the American Dream of owning their own home.”