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Yes, the large amount of legal and illegal immigration is having an impact on housing prices, especially rent. This is impacting the poor in the US more than anything, to the point where in some places, like Miami, people are paying over 50% of their income towards housing. The middle class and above are not impacted by this as much, the housing price increases have impacted those in the lower middle class and below the most.
Immigration has increased greatly since NAFTA took effect. At the same time, many work areas, like factories, that were spread throughout the US have closed down which ended up making cities the only viable source for jobs, which of course forces people to flood to the cities, and in practicality, you can only build so much housing and the demand skyrockets as does the prices. This also puts the cause not on just immigration, but the consolidation of work areas into cities.
Look at Arlington, VA for example. Since 2000, the rent and home prices have skyrocketed to absurdity, even as they build and build. Arlington has had a 20% increase in population since 2000. 28% of Arlington residents are foreign born. This has an impact on the housing prices.
This is not something that can be corrected, the issue is the way the economy is now, with a factory in Smithville, Ohio no longer there, but fifty different companies all centrally located in DC is. People go where the jobs are, and geographically, a place can only build so much housing.
"28% of Arlington residents are foreign born. This has an impact on the housing prices."
"This is not something that can be corrected,"
Of course it can be corrected
The INS has CONTROL of how many immigrants CAN re allowed into our country every year.
If they are causing a major negative impact, LOWER the number being allowed in.
Incumbent homeowners have vested financial and lifestyle interests in using government to minimize the proximate supply of neighbors of economic means inferior to their own.; Hence, NIMBY and exclusionary zoning. Prevent new development and homeowners kill two birds - keep out the riff raff AND boost their property values - with one stone.
"There is NO interest like SELF interest."
"keep out the riff raff AND boost their property values - with one stone."
Why in the world would ANY ONE want riff-raff moving in close to them which brings in more crime a lowers their property values?
And some wonder why many of us to NOT hold some college degrees with as much high esteem as they do!
Our govt has not cared about US since the 1960s when unions were stronger and Americans could still survive on one income. I live in an area of Houston, which is known for its lack of zoning. The complex is majority foreign born middle class with low vacancy rate and high rents. When I was shopping around, I found the same pattern everywhere that I went. I strongly believe that their is a causal relationship between high immigration rates, low supply and high demand. Corporations and govt have colluded through low interest rates, heavily pro-business legislation and uncontrolled immigration to create conditions that make it much harder to enjoy a good quality of life like we did decades ago.
" Corporations and govt have colluded through low interest rates, heavily pro-business legislation and uncontrolled immigration to create conditions that make it much harder to enjoy a good quality of life"
Depends on what you expect a "crisis" to be. Here is a crisis. A starter home that used to cost $200,000 ten years ago is now at a min $300,000 when we live. In the mean time, my son's salary has barely budged. That's a crisis to him. Nobody is explaining why house prices have taken off again. In the last round, they blamed subprime mortgage. What's it now?
What hasn't gone up in price?
What did you pay for your first house and how much is it worth today?
"Nobody is explaining why house prices have taken off again."
It shouldn't HAVE to be explained.
It is common sense.
Supply and demand.
When the housing bubble burst it caused MORE housing onto the market then the market could handle and prices went DOWN
NOW the demand is back. New housing starts were at an all time low.
As we have come out of the housing bubble people who WANTED to "move up" or want their first house are back in the market.
Many of our kids are spoiled and will NOT buy an "older" house or a fixer upper.
The demand a NEW house with an elegant master bath, marble counter tops, all stainless steel appliances, etc, so NEW houses are back in demand and the industry hasn't caught up yet.
Why is that Americans are so QUICK to point out racism every time the uncontrolled immigration is pointed out. It may sometimes be racism, but not always. I am a gay American of Mex descent that some Repub would absolutely despise. I support the rights of white Midwestern Americans, black Americans, other Hispanic Americans who suffer economically. Big govt, banks, politicians have all conspired to KILL the American dream. Massive immigration was increased by Pres George H W Bush, grand daddy of the New World Order. The immigration is not the ONLY CAUSE, but certainly hasn't helped. Keep looking and you'll see that everyAdministration since has continued to make it harder for younger Americans and those who are trying to climb the ladder.
"Why is that Americans are so QUICK to point out racism every time"
Why are YOU so QUICK to call Americans racist?
PLEASE do NOT insult ALL Americans.
Racist people call others racist.
" I am a gay American of Mex descent that some Repub would absolutely despise."
Maybe BUT, MANY repubs would NOT.
QUIT painting everything with such a wide brush.
You lose ALL credibility when you do.
"Big govt, banks, politicians have all conspired to KILL the American dream."
B.S.
The WANT people to succeed because it BRINGS IN MORE MONEY to ALL of them.
The reason many blue collar jobs don't pay well any longer is the breaking of the labor/trade unions. Blaming that on foreigners is a red herring, the real reason is the business community working through the Chamber of Commerce and the Republican party have been pushing 'Right to Work' laws, which are really right to screw over the workers laws.
This should not surprise anyone.
"The reason many blue collar jobs don't pay well any longer is the breaking of the labor/trade unions."
B.S.
I have a close friend who is part owner of the one of the biggest electrical contract companies in the area, which is BIG, and has over 2,000 employees.
They are paid in line with the union scale.
"'Right to Work' laws, which are really right to screw over the workers laws."
More union bosses brain washing BS.
The unions "greed" priced THEMSELVES out of the market.
I was in the industry and speak from first hand knowledge.
We had a local plant close down and ALL the union workers were OUT OF A JOB (the union leader still had THEIR jobs and got paid.) because the union leaders wouldn't "negotiate" with the owner.
2 years later the owner offered to re-open and worked out a good deal, very close to the owners last offer, both parties could live with.
Long Island is another example ... people here have an endless obsession with maintaining the 1950s style small town mentality with single family homes and mom n pop shops. In reality we need apartments, condos, townhomes, etc that are cheaper and more affordable for Millennials looking to start out, and retiring Boomers looking to downsize rather than be forced to move to Florida or North Carolina away from their family, friends, and familiar environment.
I tell ya Unbrainwashed ... you need to start thinking about running for office. We need your common sense!
Perhaps these millenials and retiring boomers could move into all those vacant units in the city. Oh wait!
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