Bloomberg/CityLab: Mayors Chart an Agenda for Tackling the Housing Crisis Under Trump
Washington, D.C. — Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) released the results of a National Housing Survey of 120 U.S. cities, whose responses show a country struggling with a housing access and affordability crisis that city leaders expect to worsen significantly without federal action. The survey, which spans 43 states and represents nearly 35 million people, presents a stark picture of the challenge. During USCM’s 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, DC, last weekend, mayors talked extensively about potential solutions for addressing the crisis.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Bloomberg: Mayors Chart an Agenda for Tackling the Housing Crisis Under Trump
Axios: First look: Mayors across U.S. warn of worsening housing crisis
The Hill: Mayors nationwide warn of worsening housing shortfall
THE PROBLEM
Housing affordability has become a significant challenge for communities across the U.S. The United States currently has a housing shortage between 4 and 7 million homes. In the past three years, the median monthly rental price has increased by 18% and the median purchase price for housing has increased by 21%. Nearly 7-in-10 Americans report they are concerned by rising housing costs.
SURVEY FINDINGS
- Among the surveyed cities alone, the housing shortfall is expected to grow by 2 million units over next 5 years
- More than half of mayors anticipate a 5,000-to-20,000-unit shortfall in their city in next 5 years
The survey also shows that mayors are taking action locally, but they need congressional support:
- 4 out of 5 cities are engaged in land use or zoning reform;
- Nearly two-thirds (62%) have recently updated their zoning or land use policies, and 22% are currently in the process of updating these policies;
- Nearly 90% called on Congress to build on existing federal programs: the low-income housing credit, housing vouchers, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and HOME program;
- 87% of respondents indicated that it is extremely important, or very important for the federal government to reform and streamline existing programs.
The full report can be found here. Key findings from the report can be found here.