Americans living on the West Coast have many problems on their plate right now; whether it’s dire wildfires, severe earthquakes, or many ongoing cultural battles against a president dead-set against the region, there are many reasons to be downcast about the future. It’s imperative that we don’t allow important issues to fall by the wayside, however, as the only way to achieve progress is to confront our problems head on.
That’s why we need to recognize the growing West Coast housing crisis for the threat that it is, as millions of Americans will soon find it impossible to afford to live in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Housing legislation is sorely needed
The most obvious reason that we’re facing a West Coast housing crisis is that sorely needed legislation has little to no chance of passing in this tumultuous political environment. Democrats and Republicans can seldom arrive at an agreement when discussing amongst themselves, let alone when debating one another, and legislators across California in particular have stood idly by while property prices skyrocketed.
The inability of lawmakers to pass concrete legislation is only part of the problem. Another severe aspect of the housing shortage currently plaguing the West Coast is that many Americans are unwilling to welcome housing developments and urban construction into their neighborhoods. Worried about the property value of their surrounding area or about cultural changes which terrify them, countless Americans have resisted any efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities to those most in need of them.
Shoddy legislators aren’t the only ones to blame for our current woes, either. Worsening natural disasters continue to plague homeowners and real estate developers who are trying to establish themselves in places like California and Washington. Terrifying wildfires which have grown more severe than ever before have led to an insufferable surge in insurance prices, for instance, pricing many existing homeowners out of the region entirely. With home insurance and other standard tools of financial security becoming harder to find, it will be more challenging for citizens to attain long-term prosperity and security along the West Coast.
We need a plan for the 21st century
The West Coast is in dire need of a comprehensive plan for the 21st century that will ensure its citizens have access to affordable housing and local infrastructure developments which can enable them to get to where they need to go safely and quickly. Currently, earthquakes are devastating our highways while wildfires destroy entire real estate developments. Homeowners who should be focused on saving for consumer goods are instead terrified that their possessions will be burnt to a crisp in a raging inferno.
By itself, California remains one of the largest economies in the world. The inability of the Golden State to ensure adequate housing is available to its population cannot be tamely suffered any longer. In nearby Oregon and Washington, Americans are facing similar housing shortages resulting in exuberantly priced homes and unaffordable living conditions. Our legislators need to take action, but until we motivate them by going to the polls they’ll never meet our needs when it comes to affordable housing.
Local candidates for office who champion affordable housing initiatives should be buoyed to the forefront of their races, while everyday citizens should get involved in expanding housing opportunities in their nearby areas. As long as we work together, there are few reasons to believe that American democracy will fail when it comes to ensuring affordable housing in the near-future. As natural disasters grow more severe, the West Coast housing crisis must be resolved as quickly as possible.