Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz both agree that America is facing a housing crisis due to a shortage of homes and high demand leading to soaring costs. Vance blames the crisis on the arrival of undocumented migrants and advocates for an unprecedented mass-deportation plan to reduce competition for housing. On the other hand, Walz believes that the crisis is more nuanced and can be alleviated through government intervention such as tax incentives and spending to spur housing construction and ease the financial burden of buying a home.
While some economists have acknowledged a link between immigrants and increased housing costs, others argue that immigrants are not the main driver of the current housing predicament. Chris Herbert of Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies points out that trends in interest rates and pandemic-induced demand for housing have played a more significant role in the recent surge in home prices and rents. Sharon Cornelissen, director of housing for the Consumer Federation of America, highlights historical instances where immigrant influxes revitalized neighborhoods without directly competing with native-born residents.
Despite the different perspectives on the impact of immigration on the housing crisis, there is general consensus that more affordable housing options are needed to address the issue. Communities like Springfield, Ohio, have seen increased strain on housing availability due to immigrant population growth. City Manager Bryan Heck acknowledges the challenges and calls for more federal support to help meet the housing needs of residents. Ultimately, addressing America’s housing crisis will require a multifaceted approach that takes into account factors beyond just immigration.
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