For one of the richest countries in the world, the U.S. sure does struggle to provide accommodations for its residents. Limited housing stock, rising prices, widening wealth and income gaps, and labor shortages due to COVID and anti-immigration policies contribute to extremely high rates of homelessness and multi-generational adult households. In a 2021 study, the Pew Research Center reports, 70% of young Americans say that they have a harder time buying a home than their parent’s generation did. To combat the crisis, cities across the country are pursuing financial investments and policy changes to promote affordable housing.
Three major efforts, among others, have been making news lately. Denver is pursuing measures that would require ”all new housing projects with 10 or more units to incorporate at least 8% affordable units or face steep fees,“ reports The Denver Post. Fresno, Calif., Mayor Jerry Dyer has released a 150-page, $250 million “One Fresno Housing Strategy,” according to the Fresno Bee. And the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development has announced plans that include more than $10 million in neighborhood redevelopment as well as $20 million for the new construction and repair of affordable housing, according to local NPR affiliate WFYI.