--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan…" description: "\"“Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has actually argued that the federal government should buy and destroy surplus houses as a solution to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/peter-schiff-8095_customer_former-federal-reserve-chairman-alan-gre_3211842.jpg" --- # Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has… ![“Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has actually argued that the federal government should buy and destroy surplus houses as a solution to the housing crisis. According to Greenspan, the problem is that prices are too low. If we reduced the supply of houses, prices would rise. While…” quote by Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/peter-schiff-8095_customer_former-federal-reserve-chairman-alan-gre_3211842.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/peter-schiff-8095_customer_former-federal-reserve-chairman-alan-gre_3211842.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/peter-schiff-8095_customer_former-federal-reserve-chairman-alan-gre_3211842.jpg) > ““Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has actually argued that the federal government should buy and destroy surplus houses as a solution to the housing crisis. According to Greenspan, the problem is that prices are too low. If we reduced the supply of houses, prices would rise. While Greenspan is correct, the destruction of our housing stock so that the remaining homes will be more valuable is the ultimate in economic folly.”” [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that destroying excess housing to raise prices is a flawed solution, highlighting the folly of sacrificing supply for price gains. **In simple terms:** Destroying homes to lift prices is a bad idea. Key Takeaway Avoid reducing housing supply. Themes economics housing market policy folly Mood critical concerned Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - government housing policy - real estate investment - urban planning - affordable housing initiatives Key Concepts Supply and demand price manipulation market distortion Questions to Reflect On - Is there a better way to balance supply and demand? - What are the long‑term social impacts of destroying housing stock? A Different Perspective Reduces overall housing availability and can worsen affordability for low‑income families. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Federal reserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-reserve/) [Housing crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/housing-crisis/) ## Related quotes > [“Back in July 2003, he’d written them a long essay on the causes and consequences of what he took to be a likely housing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/back-in-july-2003-he-d-written-them-a-long-essay-on-the-causes-and/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [“Greenspan was correct. 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