Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?

"Even as incomes are going up and the economy is doing well and inflation is coming down, people can't buy homes"

(Image credit: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

published 18 March 2024

What happened

"You have to marvel at America's economy," which defied recession predictions and "enjoyed one of the boomier years of the century," The Economist said. But a lot of voters "feel down on the economy," The Associated Press said, and a "major reason" is the "housing affordability crisis."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.