On Sunday July 7, the New York Times Editorial Board published an Op-Ed titled, “A New Approach on Housing Affordability: Some Democratic presidential candidates are emphasizing the need to build more housing. That could make a big difference.”  The Op-Ed highlights plans from four Democratic candidates including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro (D-TX), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA).  It observes, “Democratic presidential candidates are promoting industrial-strength plans to ease the pain. The ideas come in two flavors: subsidies for renters, and efforts to increase construction.”  The candidates plans range from land-use reforms, expansion of market rate development, expansion of rental subsidies, to increased federal dollars for the construction of affordable housing.  The Editorial Board concludes, “The federal government is an irresistible force when it chooses to prioritize an issue. It is past time to prioritize the availability of affordable housing.”