Housing affordability and public housing were major issues in the last presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris planned to build three million new housing units while effectively punishing corporations with large portfolios of single-family homes through various policy proposals. Some activists want to go even further, advocating for the decommodification of housing and making all housing in the United States government-owned. President Trump, on the other hand, ran on reducing grocery prices and inflation in general. Although housing is not directly measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), it greatly affects the cost of living. In his first term, Trump sought to cut the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) budget but was blocked by Congress. It would not be surprising if Trump again tried to cut HUD’s budget despite public housing being a sensitive political issue. Public housing has a long history, with examples dating back to ancient civilizations. However, the modern concept of public housing began to take shape during the Industrial Revolution, as urbanization and overcrowding became significant challenges. The government’s role in providing housing at a reduced cost to those who could not afford it became more prominent during this time. One of the earliest examples of public housing was the Fuggerei, built in 1521 by Jakob Fugger to provide housing for needy citizens of Augsburg. Public housing continued to evolve over time, with the push for government intervention gaining momentum during the Great Depression and the New Deal era. Large-scale public housing projects were constructed after World War II, but they often concentrated poverty and led to social problems. In recent years, public housing policies have shifted towards more dispersed methods of providing subsidies and tax credits to low-income individuals and developers. While public housing programs have their flaws, they have improved compared to the large housing projects of the past. The market still plays a crucial role in providing housing, but government intervention can help address the needs of low-income individuals. However, policies regarding public housing must be carefully enacted to avoid unintended consequences.
1 Comment
Mental
February 28, 2025It’s fascinating to see how affordable housing in the US has evolved over the years. From the government-funded initiatives like the New Deal in the 1930s to the modern-day programs like low-income housing tax credits, the efforts to ensure adequate housing for all have come a long way. I wonder how these changes have impacted the communities they serve.