Western USA Extraordinary Housing Shortage

Let’s break down what's been happening with the housing market in the Western USA. It's been a bit wild over the last ten years.

Housing Shortage: So, the West Coast, think California, Oregon, that sort of area, they've been struggling with not having enough houses for everyone. It's a mix of problems, like not enough space to build new homes, really tough rules about building, and a bunch of environmental laws. This means there just aren't enough houses for all the people who want to live there.

Prices Through the Roof: Because there aren't enough houses, the prices have shot up. It's like everyone wants to buy, but there's hardly anything to buy, so the prices just keep going up. This is especially true in places where loads of people want to work, like those tech-heavy areas.

Tough to Afford a Home: With the prices so high, buying a house has become a bit of a dream for many. This has led to more people renting and, sadly, more people without homes at all, especially in the big cities.

Why Everyone Wants to Live There: Part of the reason for this mess is that these places are doing well economically and are pretty nice to live in. This attracts all sorts of people, from young professionals to retirees, which just adds more pressure on the housing market.

What's Being Done About It: The government over there is trying to sort it out. They're looking at making it easier to build houses, helping out with affordable housing, and even investing directly in housing projects. But it's a big issue, and it's not going to be solved overnight.

In short, the housing situation on the West Coast of the U.S. is a bit of a headache. There aren't enough houses for everyone who wants one, and the prices are sky-high. It's a real example of what happens when lots of people want to live in the same place. 

Thank you to Lance Lambert and Resiclub for the map.