Housing Affordability Becomes Top Issue for Young U.S. Voters

Housing affordability has emerged as the primary political concern for U.S. voters aged 18 to 34, overtaking the cost of food and the protection of democracy. This shift follows a period where home prices rose nearly 60% since the start of the pandemic and mortgage rates climbed above 7.5%. Current data shows more than 50% of U.S. renters are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing.

In Pennsylvania's swing districts, candidates are offering diverging solutions to the crisis. In the 7th District, Republican Ryan Mackenzie supports homebuyer tax credits, while Democrat Bob Brooks advocates for the construction of more starter homes and a crackdown on corporate landlords and rent gouging.

In the 10th District, Democrat Janelle Stelson proposes expanding small-dollar loans and repealing construction tariffs on lumber and drywall. Republican incumbent Scott Perry opposes these measures, arguing that federal spending over the last 50 years has exacerbated the housing crisis and that increasing government funding only makes housing more expensive.