Fixing the Housing Crisis: What Needs to Change

Housing affordability has changed dramatically in the United States. What was once manageable for many households has become a financial strain. Rising rents, high home prices, and a lack of affordable housing have left millions of families with fewer options and greater uncertainty about their housing stability.

To understand what the President could do, it helps to first understand why the housing crisis exists and why it has grown so severe.

Why Housing Is So Expensive Right Now

One of the biggest reasons housing costs are so high is that the country simply does not have enough homes. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s explanation of the housing supply shortage, the U.S. has been underbuilding homes for decades. As the population grew, housing construction failed to keep up, creating a nationwide shortage.

When there are not enough homes, prices rise. Buyers compete for limited supply, and landlords raise rents because demand is high. This situation hurts renters most, especially families with lower incomes.

Another key issue is that wages have not kept pace with housing costs. Research highlighted in Harvard’s reporting on the housing affordability crisis shows that in many areas, home prices have increased far faster than incomes. This forces families to spend a large share of their paycheck just to stay housed.

Renters are feeling this pressure the most. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s research on rental affordability shows that in most parts of the country, a full-time worker earning minimum wage cannot afford a modest apartment.

Who Is Hurt the Most by the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis affects many people, but it hits some groups especially hard. These include low-income families, seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, single parents, veterans, and workers in essential jobs such as healthcare, education, and retail.

Many of these families qualify for housing assistance, but help is limited. Programs like Section 8 were designed to close the gap between income and rent, yet funding has not kept up with need. This is why waiting lists are often years long.

If you want to understand how future funding decisions could affect housing assistance, our article on budget pressures looming for Section 8 and what the FY2026 fight could mean explains why these programs are under growing strain.

Why the President Has a Role in Housing

Housing policy is shaped at the local, state, and federal levels, but the President plays a major role in setting national priorities. The federal government funds large housing programs, supports affordable housing construction, and influences how states and cities approach development.

In recent years, the White House has recognized the problem. The official White House fact sheet on actions to build more housing and protect renters shows that housing affordability is now viewed as a national concern.

Still, many experts agree that current efforts are not enough.

What the President Could Do to Address the Crisis

1. Help Build More Affordable Homes

The most direct solution to the housing crisis is to build more housing, especially homes people with modest incomes can afford.

The President could push to expand programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which helps developers build affordable rental homes. According to an overview of how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit works this program has already helped create millions of affordable units, but demand still far exceeds supply.

The President could also encourage cities and states to reduce rules that make housing expensive to build. Research from Brookings on America’s housing supply decline shows that strict zoning laws often limit apartments and affordable housing in areas where people want to live.

2. Increase Funding for Rental Assistance

Housing vouchers are one of the most effective tools for keeping families housed. However, analysis from the Urban Institute on housing assistance gaps shows that most people who qualify for help never receive it due to limited funding.

The President could support expanding Section 8 vouchers, protecting families from sudden loss of assistance, and simplifying the application process so it is easier to understand.

3. Use Emergency Powers to Speed Up Action

Some housing experts believe the crisis is serious enough to be treated as an emergency. Articles explaining what a national housing emergency declaration could mean show that this step could unlock federal resources and speed up housing development in the hardest-hit areas.

4. Make Federal Housing Programs Work Better Together

The federal government runs many housing programs, but they do not always work smoothly together. Research from Pew on policies to curb housing costs shows that coordinated strategies can reduce costs and increase supply when agencies work toward the same goals.

What the President Cannot Do Alone

The President cannot fix the housing crisis without Congress. Funding decisions and major policy changes require lawmakers’ approval. Still, the President can set priorities, propose solutions, and push housing to the top of the national agenda.

Why Housing Policy Matters

Housing affects health, education, job opportunities, and family stability. When housing is affordable, families can plan for the future. When it is not, families face constant stress and uncertainty.

Why Local Communities Feel the Housing Crisis So Strongly

While the housing crisis is often discussed at the national level, its effects are felt most clearly in local communities. When housing costs rise faster than incomes, families are forced to make difficult choices about where they live and how they spend their money. Some move farther away from work to find cheaper housing, leading to longer commutes and higher transportation costs. Others crowd into smaller or unsafe units because there are no affordable alternatives nearby.

Schools and local services also feel the impact. When families move frequently due to rising rent, children may change schools often, making it harder for them to keep up academically. Communities with high housing instability often see greater strain on social services, shelters, and emergency housing programs.

Local governments face challenges as well. Many cities want to encourage affordable housing, but limited funding and strict zoning rules slow progress. Even when new housing is built, it often targets higher-income renters because those projects are easier to finance. This leaves a growing gap between what people earn and what housing costs.

For families using housing assistance, these local pressures can be especially difficult. Even with a voucher, finding a landlord who accepts it can be challenging in tight markets. When rents rise above payment standards, families may be forced to move or give up housing close to jobs, schools, and support networks.

Addressing the housing crisis means looking beyond national averages and understanding how housing shortages affect real neighborhoods. Policies that increase affordable housing supply, protect renters, and support local solutions can help stabilize communities and give families a better chance to stay housed where they already live.

In sum

The U.S. housing crisis did not happen overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. But the President has powerful tools to help — by supporting affordable housing construction, strengthening rental assistance, and pushing for long-term solutions.

With strong leadership and consistent action, housing can become more affordable and stable for millions of Americans who need it most.