Geography 2050 (2021) Lightning Talk: Unprecedented Home Price Increases Affect the Most Vulnerable

Lightning unprecedented home price increases have affected vulnerable populations, leading to housing crises in various locations across the US. Renters are particularly impacted, with a majority of counties experiencing both record-setting price increases and high levels of unaffordability. The housing crisis is not solely due to the pandemic but is also influenced by long-term trends, demographics, climate-related disasters, housing supply issues, and land use policies. The implications of these price increases include regional spread of problems, increased vulnerability for marginalized residents, delayed home purchases for first-time buyers, and exacerbation of wealth inequality. Solutions include broadening the stakeholder base, coordinated regional efforts, incentivizing affordable housing, and supporting home ownership programs for marginalized groups.