Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the complex global crisis of affordable housing. With over 1.6 billion people worldwide estimated to be living in inadequate housing, we ask the fundamental question: what actually counts as "affordable"? We break down the standard "30% rule" used in the U.S. and Canada and reveal why half of all U.S. renters are currently considered cost-burdened.

Join us as we explore the hidden economic drivers behind the shortage, from the supply-and-demand imbalance to the regulatory "red tape" that can add up to $600,000 to the cost of a single home in cities like San Francisco. We discuss the social ripple effects, including how rising costs drive homelessness and force families into the "drive 'til you qualify" trap, where long commutes erase the savings of cheaper rent.

Finally, we look toward solutions. We examine "supply-side" fixes like inclusionary zoning and the "missing middle", discuss the potential of adaptive reuse to turn old factories into apartments, and compare U.S. policies to international success stories like the "Vienna Model," where nearly half the city lives in social housing.