Navigating the Housing Crisis: Politics and Solutions

9min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

This chapter examines the intricacies of the American housing market ahead of elections, contrasting the policies of Biden and Trump concerning inflation and interest rates. It underscores the pressing need for more housing units, labor reforms, and a reevaluation of homeownership assumptions in today's demographic landscape. The speakers advocate for bipartisan efforts and industry-driven solutions to enhance housing accessibility for first-time buyers and underserved communities.

As prices for homes and rents continue to rise in many towns and cities, it's one of the key issues for voters.

In 2023 the average price of a home in the United States was $495,100, six per cent higher than a year earlier, though the signs are prices may now be starting to fall.

That’s partly because mortgage rates have spiralled as high as 7% for many new buyers – making repayments prohibitive.

We ask business owners working in housing to tell us why, and what’s the fix?

Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: David Cann

(Image: A "Now Leasing" sign outside the Willows at Valley Run, an affordable housing development, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images)