Displacement, Development & Reality: Covering the Region's Housing Crisis
Houselessness, rising rents, and the significant difficulty of buying a home are among the factors fueling the region's housing crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in the city increased by 9.8% from 2023 to 2024. Simultaneously, the problem worsened nationally, as homelessness increased by 18.1%. On any given night in 2024, about 800,000 people were homeless.
At the same time, housing has become increasingly difficult to afford. The median U.S. home value reached $340,200 in 2023, the highest since 2008, according to the American Community Survey. That same year, the homeownership rate was 65.2%, and 46.3% of renters were considered cost-burdened, meaning they spent more than 30% of their income on housing.
What systemic forces are driving the housing crisis?
Join us in a panel discussion with WHYY News Reporters who will talk about their reporting and perspectives on the matter. There will be a Q&A session where attendees can direct their questions to the panel.