Topic: The Housing Crisis: A Global Issue Beyond Blame (Read 74 times)

I really like the way of you seeing things @Synchronice, however, independence is also important, and people in western countries have kids in a very old age.

The major reason why there is a housing crisis in western countries is our mentality. When kids grow up, they immediately leave the house, rent apartment and live there. To be honest, I find it very silly, what's wrong with living with family members? If Asians live that way, why can't Europeans live too? If we change our mentality and every single person doesn't rent an apartment, then housing crisis will be solved in a single day but it's created artificially, this mentality is put artificially in people because that way they make us dependent on jobs and low salaries with the fear of losing a house.

So you want the government to solve the crisis by building more houses with taxpayers money? Sounds like a recipe for corruption, if you ask me.
In many countries around the world it's too expensive to build a house from scratch, because there are way too many regulations. Reducing the regulations might help more people to buy some land in the suburbs and build their own houses.
The root of all evil is the money printing machine, owned by the Federal Reserve. Everything became way too expensive because, the FED keeps pumping more money into the economy. On the other hand, FED increased the interest rates to fight inflation, which made mortgages unaffordable for many people. The billions of USD, that were pumped into the financial system allowed many banks and investment funds to enter the real estate market, so the demand for houses was artificially pumped. FED is the root of all evil.

You raised some good points. About how politics and personal greed affect the housing market. And how did housing evolve from necessity to investment property? It is true that housing Especially in urban areas, it is a battleground for the rich. As a result, young people and buyers are being priced out.

I also feel that we also miss the part that globalization plays and foreign investment in the local real estate market has created havoc in pushing up prices in cities like London or New York. Real estate often serves as a "safe haven" for wealthy and corporate immigrants who wish to or need to reside in the United States. This further exerts pressure on already already scarce housing supply. This dynamic pushes the prices beyond the reach of average people.

Another facet is technological advancements like AI, automation, etc. How is it changing the work environment? Many people today, especially the youths, are facing high prices for houses. Not only are they exposed to economic struggle. This is because most jobs have been automated. As a result, the new generation is finding it tough to save enough money to invest in a house.

I can agree with you on the fact that new housing spaces are badly needed. Shared living spaces, contracts and green housing are certainly how forward steps must be made, at least in these issues. In some countries, governments have tried measures like taxing land value in order to prevent speculation or prioritize public housing construction.

If we can't even devise a way to get resources on this world, personally speaking, I find it extremely challenging to believe Mars would be any different. Maybe we shouldn't be trying to colonize other planets but find a compatible solution here instead.


Of course, these issues are complex and closely linked to policy decisions. And while governments such as the European Union are aware of the problem, But progress is still very slow.

I totally agree that useful local measures are necessary. Public housing projects and intelligent investment developments can indeed help somewhat reduce the pressures on young people. At the same time, though, I think we must be sensitive to ecological changes. Let me add that, for instance, very much at stake are dealing with wage freezes. House prices go up. But the wages cannot anymore be kept up. Homeownership is practically impossible for many young people.

It is not just a matter of building more houses but must ensure the economy grows in ways that are beneficial to the nation. Beyond public housing policy, the government could look into policies that reduce income inequality-for instance, raising minimum wage. or by providing more subsidy for affordable housing.

As you argued it is not just a matter of political maneuver. However, it is also the fruit of a rather complex interplay of many factors. Without a comprehensive attempt to mend the economy and wage stagnation, though, community-based palliatives can only serve to mop up the mess in the short term. A bit of good public policy along with some badly needed long-term economic reform may indeed be in store, though-to ensure that there's some decent housing for the next generation.

The housing crisis is undeniably a global issue, and it's disheartening to see so many people, especially the younger generation, being priced out of the market. The real challenge lies in political will and overcoming the greed that has turned housing into a commodity rather than a basic right.

If we can’t manage resources equitably on Earth, how can we ensure fair practices on Mars or any other celestial body? The potential for repeating the same mistakes is high, and it’s crucial to address these issues before they become interplanetary.

In my opinion, we are seeing a lot of well-built containers available at great prices. Why doesn't the government place them on land to create housing for people? It seems practical and easy to me.

This housing crisis brought on by many factors some of them IMO are supply factors, increased construction costs, and wage stagnation. For example, Europe faces an acute shortage of housing due to very slow construction rates and skyrocketing building material costs. Rental caps in Berlin are undermined by loopholes, while prices for real estate have surged in Paris, shutting the door for new buyers to get into the market.

This issue is not being wholly ignored by governments. The European Union has made policies to unlock funds for more 'affordable' housing and develop investment platforms, but this progresses at a very glacial pace. While housing is increasingly treated as an investment vehicle in many cities, it is not necessarily a question of political avarice, but rather a complex interaction of supply, demand, and policy. What we need instead are practical, local solutions-such as a rise in public housing, or the regulation of speculative property investments-that would alleviate pressure on younger generations.

This one of the biggest issues that the world is battling now and those of us that are still renting are finding it very hard to actually keep up with and it is everywhere and if you want to do analysis on how the prices of rent have been back from the days till in like 2010 till now is just something else's you will see that the price have skyrocketed with even close to like 100%, and the structure of earning have now reduced and balancing everything now is now looking destructive.

And who exactly how we to blame than our self because we already identified the problem but the process of addressing is zero, and they keep gradually increasing the price since their is no regulation if not their are police's that are supposed to be guiding the increments of houses that will start state that you can not increase the price of your rent without the permission of the government but now everyone is doing as they please with their assets even over doing everything.

The landlords are complaining that the economy is affecting them so they need money to keep up with expenses also so you can see how bad this is heading to and at the end of the day I hope it does not drive people out to the streets, because it will get to a point that people will no longer be able to afford a house which will leave thousands homeless, the government intervention is not even helping.

I will want to use my part of the country for an instance. And this i fault both the government and estate owners for the skyrocketing price of housing accomodations. And here's why.

1. I should believe that there advanced countries where the government are actively monitoring and regulating the prices of housing be it for renting or buying for ownership. But in my part of the world the government act less concerned and this makes house owners puts the prices of renting a house according to how they deem fit without taking into account the quality of the house and location. And in some cases some of these houses may lack modern house facilities but they still rate the rent bills alike to others.

2. Secondly, may lbe if the government in some countries make more efforts in taking housing as a priority in their administration by building low-cost housing for her citizens all over the country then it could affect positively how those in the private sector (real estate) will want to stage their rent bills. Because many people would want to have to live in those government provided cheap but quality housing.

However this isn't the case in many parts of the world and it has become a great competition increasing greed in the quest for the accumulation and grabbing of lands making it hard for the average citizen to have no hope of being able to rent a standard house or even own one in their name

In many parts of the world, house prices have skyrocketed to levels that make homeownership seem like a distant dream for young people. Whether it's in booming cities like London, New York, or Lisbon, the common theme is that the cost of housing has risen far beyond what most young people can afford, leaving them with little hope of ever buying a home within their lifetime.

At first glance, it's difficult to pinpoint a single party responsible for this crisis. After all, we live in a global market-driven economy, where supply, demand, and competition dictate prices. But is the reality that simple? When we dig deeper, we begin to question the underlying factors that have contributed to this stark disparity in homeownership opportunities. What is the real reason behind these exorbitant prices?

Greed and Land Ownership
Greed, on both political and individual levels, plays a significant role. Politicians in many countries have enacted policies that cater to the wealthy, allowing real estate to become an investment tool rather than fulfilling its fundamental purpose: shelter. In cities around the world, property is increasingly seen as a commodity to be bought, sold, and profited from, often at the expense of the common person.

On an individual level, land and home ownership have long been entrenched in the idea of private property. But who decided that one person has the right to a piece of land over another? Historically, land was often seized or claimed, and over time, this led to the structured real estate markets we see today. The problem arises when land and property, finite resources, are controlled by a select few, pushing prices higher and locking out the majority, especially the younger generation.

Looking to Space: The Next Frontier?
As Earth’s housing markets become inaccessible for many, humanity is turning its attention to new horizons—literally. China has ambitious plans to place solar panels in space to provide energy to Earth. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Elon Musk’s SpaceX is focused on colonizing Mars, with the vision of creating human settlements on the red planet. Russia, for its part, views Mars as a potential treasure trove of precious resources.

But as we dream of colonizing other planets, a critical question looms: how will Mars be managed? If we struggle to allocate resources fairly on Earth, what guarantees do we have that Mars will be any different? Will the same political and individual greed that has driven up house prices on Earth follow us into space? How will ownership of Martian land be decided, and who will benefit?

The Need for Alternatives for Young People
Back on Earth, policymakers need to focus on real solutions to the housing crisis. Governments and local authorities should prioritize creating affordable housing options for young people. Public housing projects, rent controls, and regulations on speculative property investments could offer some relief. There should also be a push towards innovative housing models, such as co-living spaces, shared equity schemes, or eco-friendly tiny homes, designed to meet the needs of younger generations.

It’s clear that without structural changes, the dream of owning a home will remain out of reach for many. The housing crisis is a global problem, but it requires local, immediate action. While we dream of space exploration and the colonization of new planets, we must not forget to address the pressing issues here on Earth, starting with ensuring that everyone has access to something as basic as a place to call home.