Sean Illing talks with writer and reporter Jerusalem Demsas about the causes of homelessness in America. They discuss our ideas of home ownership, and how our country’s cultural expectations and policies are working against us. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray AreaGuest: Jerusalem Demsas (@JerusalemDemsas) staff writer, The AtlanticReferences:  “The Homeownership Society Was a Mistake” by Jerusalem Demsas (The Atlantic; Dec. 20, 2022) “The Obvious Answer to Homelessness and Why Everyone’s Ignoring It” by Jerusalem Demsas (The Atlantic; Dec. 12, 2022) “The Billionaire’s Dilemma” by Jerusalem Demsas (The Atlantic; Aug. 4, 2022) “Stuck! The Law and Economics of Residential Stagnation” by David Schleicher (Yale Law Review; Oct. 2017) “Black Americans And The Racist Architecture of Homeownership” by Alisa Chang, Christopher Intagliata, and Jonaki Mehta (NPR; May 8, 2021)  Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Editor: Amy Drozdowska Engineer: Patrick Boyd Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jerusalem Demsas, staff writer at The Atlantic, discusses three thought-provoking books: The Dispossessed, Gulliver's Travels, and Of Boys and Men. Topics include human nature, gender dynamics, purpose of travel, moral progress, and the link between feminism and gender equality. They debate whether anarchy is preferable, dissect Swift's views on science and slavery, explore the psychological aspects of travel novels, and reflect on moral progress and the unity of the human condition.

Jerusalem Demsas, a journalist and author focused on housing crises, explores the deep-rooted issues behind America's housing shortage. They discuss the emotional toll of unattainable homeownership on younger generations and the complications of local zoning laws. Gentrification is analyzed with humor, revealing misconceptions and the need for balanced urban development. The importance of community involvement in housing politics is emphasized, advocating for reforms that tackle classism and ensure tenant protections.

Jerusalem Demsas, a staff writer at the Atlantic and author of "On the Housing Crisis: Land, Development, Democracy," delves into the complexities of America’s housing crisis. She argues that local governance, with its tangled zoning boards and committees, is a significant yet overlooked culprit. While many point fingers at greedy developers or corrupt politicians, she reveals how these hyper-local decisions play a critical role. Demsas emphasizes the implications for marginalized communities and discusses the necessity for reform to tackle the housing shortage.

This week, Jerusalem Demsas, a contributor to The Atlantic focusing on housing issues, joins to tackle the housing crisis amidst the 2024 campaign. The discussion highlights Barack Obama's surprising embrace of YIMBY policies at the DNC, while Kamala Harris takes a more cautious approach. Demsas critiques oversimplified housing narratives, advocating for zoning reforms to enhance affordability. The complex relationship between housing policies, local economies, and community resistance is explored, revealing the challenges Democrats face in addressing these pressing issues.