Would these be the same Democrats who are unable to even approve permits to build houses in Maui and Malibu? The ones who let in millions of illegals, fake asylum seekers, and those on unnecessary TPS which jams up housing and even requires the use of hotels because there’s nothing available? The ones who see pricing in their big Dem run cities as absurd?
Democrats zero in on affordable housing as potential winning issue
When Democrats have gone back to examine Zohran Mamdani’s winning campaign for mayor of New York City, they’ve homed in on one issue that he underscored: affordable housing.
Mamdani made the issue a centerpiece of his campaign from start to finish, so much so that affordability, in general, almost became synonymous with his name and a pseudo campaign slogan. And while the housing situation in New York is unique, it is an issue that Democrats think will translate across the country.
Now, as Democrats strategize about winning platforms for the midterms, most say it needs to be high on the Democratic agenda, if not the foremost issue for candidates.
Talk is cheap, especially when we’ve seen the results. But, let’s be honest, too many who vote do not actually do more than listen to the talking points. They never do research to find out the truth.
While Mamdani made the issue a cornerstone of his campaign, other Democrats who won high-profile elections this month also prioritized affordability in their races.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who won the New Jersey gubernatorial race, spoke at length about housing affordability during her campaign.
In her successful campaign for governor of Virginia, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger also prioritized affordable housing, holding events tailored to the issue.
Yeah, I know of NJ authorizing “affordable” housing down in Waretown, NJ. That hasn’t worked out well, since they are not affordable, and there was no need for them in the area. No one lives there, and there are no shops on the 1st floor, as the plan calls for. And Virginia tends to ignore affordable housing up in northern Va, because the Democrat up there do not want the poors near them.
“For potential homebuyers, the literal price of entry is still high everywhere, and the average homebuyer’s age is high as well,” Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said. “And for renters, the crisis is even more acute. People under 40 are economically struggling, and it turns out Trump hasn’t been the savior so many of them were hoping for on affordability.”
I mean, yeah. Post COVID prices are absurd. The townhomes like mine were always around $95K, now I could sell for almost $240. The stand alone home I considered was $120 in 2009, now Zillow shows $307. Homes are up about 150%. Perhaps all that COVID closing was a bad idea? What we see being built around Raleigh and the surrounding town are lots of huge townhome and apartment complexes. Not much in terms of actual houses. And they are all expensive. So, what are Democrats going to do? The article spends a bunch of time discussing the stats on rising home prices, before we get to
To be sure, former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee in the 2024 race, made housing a major part of her platform. But voters connected more to Trump’s messaging on the economy.
“There was a lot about 2024 that didn’t have a lot to do with the policy proposals she put out,” Democratic strategist Steve Schale said. “It’s hard to convince people in 107 days of something that changes their view on policy.”
“But I do think she was smart to talk about it,” Schale said.
The thing is, that’s all it is: talking. Where are plans? Mamdani doesn’t really have any beyond rent control. Which doesn’t work. When cities require a certain number of “affordable” housing units, fewer units will be built, and you do not get “filtering“. You get companies which will build elsewhere. Or you end up with another slum.
Hopefully Republicans learned that they have to demand Democrats running on “affordability” provide details, not just talking points. And let’s consider: the results tend to be bad enough when local, county, and state officials get involved in housing: how much worse with Los Federales?
Read: Democrats To Push “Affordable Housing” For Midterms »
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