advocacy
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Housing costs have surged over the past two decades. The median home price is now six times the median income, up from four or five times just twenty years ago. Rents have climbed too, and today more than 60% of moderate-income renters are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend over 30% of their paycheck on housing. This…
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President Trump recently signed two executive orders aimed at tackling one of the biggest issues facing younger Americans: the skyrocketing cost of buying a home. The first order targets the maze of government regulations that make it slow and expensive to build new houses. It pushes federal agencies to speed up permitting, cut environmental rules,…
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Have you noticed that everyone seems to be talking about how expensive it is to rent or buy a house these days? If you think it sounds bad, you’re right because “everywhere you look, the data is bad,” said Patrick Coakley, a real estate expert with more than 25 years of experience. On September 3,…
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People in cities like Pittsburgh or Kansas City really need to understand how national policies affect local housing markets. That’s especially true now, with the Trump presidency possibly bringing more policy implications. Jackie Smith, a sociology professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a member of the university’s editorial board with the National Housing Coalition,…
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Are we hopeful of a budget increase that will impact housing insecurity concerns? Last week, Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania presented his proposed budget for 2024-25, featuring unprecedented investments in housing, homelessness assistance, and home repair. The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, or PHARE, was created to provide a means for Pennsylvania state and…
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As this country struggles with growing homelessness, it’s time to start standing up and speaking out. Hi, my name is Dylan and I have considered writing a blog for some time. A place to contemplate, talk, and ramble, but not necessarily in that order. I specifically wanted to start a blog that covers my stark…