Housing crisis in the United States

A 2017 HUD survey found that 89% of extremely low income renter households were moderately or severely cost burdened.

In the 19th century, housing development in the United States was characterized by rapid urban growth in economically productive places.

[12] Throughout the 20th century, however, a number of regulations that were designed to block in-fill and direct greenfield development took hold, such as exclusionary zoning.

Beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century, market-wide housing shortages have existed in a growing number of markets throughout the country, starting in prosperous coastal regions, such as Boston, New York, or the California Bay Area.

[13] In the last two decades, these shortages have spread from coastal superstar cities to affect broader areas of the country, so that on average there is a deficit of housing nationwide.

While, in a balanced market, rental vacancy rates should fall between 7 and 8 percent, only one U.S. census region, the South, achieved target levels on average in its metro areas as of 2021.

The insufficiency of suitable affordable housing options can lead to negative outcomes for both families and communities, including homelessness.

Eviction, displacement, and forms of housing inequality are worsened by and related to the shortage and affordability crisis, but also have causes of their own and require distinct solutions.