# Housing Stress in the American Heartland: A Crisis Beyond the Superstar Cities The national conversation about [[housing affordability]] in the United States is often dominated by the soaring prices and intense competition for housing in the so-called "superstar cities" of the coasts. The housing crises in places like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle are well-documented and widely discussed. However, a quieter but no less significant housing crisis is unfolding in the American Heartland. A 2019 report from the Brookings Institution sheds light on the often-overlooked housing challenges faced by families in metropolitan areas between the coasts and south of Washington, D.C. This article, based on the findings of that report, will explore the unique nature of housing stress in the Heartland, a region where moderate housing values and vacant properties can mask deep-seated problems of affordability and quality. ## Beyond the High-Price Narrative The housing challenges in the Heartland differ in important ways from those in the nation's high-cost coastal markets. While the superstar cities grapple with a shortage of housing supply and sky-high prices, many Heartland cities have a surplus of vacant and abandoned properties. The problem in these areas is not necessarily a lack of housing, but a lack of *quality* and *affordable* housing. The Brookings report highlights several key factors that contribute to housing stress in the Heartland: * **Low Incomes:** Even in markets where housing prices are relatively low, families with very low incomes can still struggle to afford a decent place to live. The simple fact is that even a modest rent or mortgage payment can be a heavy burden for a household earning at or near the minimum wage. * **Aging Housing Stock:** Many Heartland cities have an older housing stock that is in need of significant repairs and upgrades. This can lead to a range of problems, including: * **Health and safety hazards:** Leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and lead paint are just a few of the hazards that can be found in older homes. * **High utility costs:** Poorly insulated homes with inefficient heating and cooling systems can be very expensive to operate, adding to the financial burden of low-income families. * **"Voluntary" abandonment:** In some cases, the cost of repairs can be so high that homeowners, particularly those with low incomes, are forced to abandon their properties. * **Racial Disparities:** The legacy of racial segregation and discrimination continues to shape housing patterns in the Heartland. Black and other minority households are more likely to live in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty, older and lower-quality housing, and limited access to jobs and opportunities. ## The Vicious Cycle of Decline The housing challenges in the Heartland can create a vicious cycle of decline. When a neighborhood has a high concentration of vacant and abandoned properties, it can lead to a range of negative consequences, including: * **Decreased property values:** The presence of blighted properties can drive down the value of surrounding homes, making it more difficult for homeowners to build wealth. * **Increased crime:** Vacant properties can become magnets for crime and other illicit activities. * **Reduced public services:** A declining population and tax base can make it more difficult for cities to provide essential public services, such as schools, parks, and police and fire protection. This cycle of decline can be difficult to break, but it is not impossible. The Brookings report points to a number of promising strategies for revitalizing distressed neighborhoods and improving housing quality in the Heartland. ## Strategies for a Heartland Housing Revival Addressing the housing challenges in the Heartland will require a multifaceted approach that is tailored to the specific needs of each community. Some of the key strategies identified in the Brookings report include: * **Preserving and improving the existing housing stock:** Rather than focusing solely on new construction, Heartland cities should prioritize the preservation and rehabilitation of their existing housing stock. This can be done through a variety of programs, such as: * **Home repair assistance programs:** These programs provide grants or low-interest loans to help low-income homeowners make essential repairs to their homes. * **Code enforcement:** Stricter enforcement of building codes can help to ensure that rental properties are safe and habitable. * **Weatherization assistance programs:** These programs help low-income families to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing their utility bills and improving their comfort. * **Addressing vacant and abandoned properties:** Heartland cities need to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing the problem of vacant and abandoned properties. This can include: * **Land banks:** Land banks are public or non-profit entities that acquire vacant and abandoned properties and return them to productive use. * **Demolition and greening:** In some cases, the most effective strategy may be to demolish blighted properties and convert the land into green space. * **Targeted investment:** Cities should target their investments in areas with a high concentration of vacant properties, in order to create a critical mass of redevelopment activity. * **Promoting racial equity:** Any effort to address the housing challenges in the Heartland must also address the legacy of racial discrimination. This can be done through a variety of strategies, such as: * **Fair housing enforcement:** Stronger enforcement of fair housing laws can help to combat discrimination in the housing market. * **Targeted investments in minority neighborhoods:** Cities should target their investments in neighborhoods that have been historically disinvested. * **Inclusionary zoning:** This is a policy that requires developers to set aside a certain percentage of new housing units for low- and moderate-income households. ## Conclusion: A New Focus for Housing Policy The housing crisis in the American Heartland is a complex and multifaceted problem that will require a sustained and collaborative effort to address. It is a crisis that is not defined by soaring prices and a lack of supply, but by low incomes, aging housing stock, and the enduring legacy of racial inequality. The Brookings report provides a valuable roadmap for how we can begin to address these challenges. By shifting our focus from the superstar cities to the often-overlooked communities of the Heartland, we can begin to build a more equitable and prosperous housing future for all Americans. The path forward will not be easy, but it is a path that we must take if we are to live up to our nation's promise of opportunity for all. --- **References:** * Schuetz, J. (2019, July 2). Housing affordability and quality create stress for Heartland families. *Brookings Institution*. Retrieved from [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/housing-affordability-and-quality-create-stress-for-heartland-families/](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/housing-affordability-and-quality-create-stress-for-heartland-families/) **Keywords:** [[Housing Affordability]], [[Housing Quality]], [[American Heartland]], [[Brookings Institution]], [[Urban Decline]], [[Racial Equity]], [[Housing Policy]]