The Gray Area with Sean Illing The roots of homelessness
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Jan 19, 2023 Jerusalem Demsas, a staff writer at The Atlantic and housing policy expert, dives into the complex roots of homelessness in America. She critiques the cultural obsession with homeownership and its detrimental impact on housing accessibility. Demsas discusses how various housing policies and zoning laws perpetuate social inequality, especially in racially segregated communities. The conversation also highlights the urgent need for reform and a more compassionate approach to tackling homelessness, urging a rethink of the American Dream as it relates to housing.
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Broken Housing Policy
- Housing policy isn't oriented around affordability and accessibility for everyone.
- This leads to policies that prioritize preserving community aesthetics or increasing property values over people's needs.
Homelessness and Housing Affordability
- Homelessness is directly linked to housing affordability.
- High-cost areas with limited housing options experience more homelessness, regardless of other factors.
Housing Construction Challenges
- Building houses in the US is expensive due to restrictive zoning laws.
- These laws limit housing options, inflate house sizes, and eliminate starter homes.
