The monopolies in the brick industry have a noticeable financial effect on Texans. By mandating the use of brick, it can add the following cost to a 2,700 square foot home:

• $5,500 in Austin
• $5,650 in Dallas
• $5,760 in Houston

(Source: GoBrick.com)

The average home cost in Texas was $269,000 as of December 31, 2017. When municipalities require a home is built with stone, the increase in cost is dramatic:

• $22,640 in Austin
• $23,358 in Dallas
• $23,700 in Houston

(Source: Center for Real Estate at Texas A&M University)

You may think that these price increases are minor – after all, what’s an extra couple thousand when you’re already paying an average of $269,000 for a home? However, for every $1,000 increase on the price of a home, 22,358 working individuals like teachers, police and firefighters are priced out of the housing market. Adding a minimum of $5,000 to housing costs means that over 123,000 hardworking Texans will be unable to afford a home. Adding up to $23,700 to the price tag of a home means that 525,000 Texans are priced out of homeownership. 

(Source: Center for Real Estate at Texas A&M University)