The Digital Press

The housing market for young Americans has become extremely difficult, with first-time homebuyers now typically in their late 30s instead of late 20s, making homeownership a distant dream for many. This crisis stems from decades of restrictive zoning, economic setbacks, and recent pandemic-related supply and demand shocks.

Why it matters: Young people struggle to buy homes, affecting life milestones like marriage and family formation, and impacting economic and social stability.

The big picture: Half a century of zoning restrictions, a construction industry collapse after 2008, and pandemic-driven inflation have all combined to push housing costs beyond reach.

The stakes: High prices, soaring mortgage rates, and limited housing supply trap young buyers, worsening wealth inequality and fueling generational disillusionment.

Commenters say: Many emphasize the need for deregulation and point to entrenched local resistance as key barriers; some reflect on shifting cultural and economic dynamics since the 1970s.