Nearly All Mayors Say Residents Are Concerned About Housing Affordability

Virtually every mayor polled in a recent survey said they're hearing affordability worries in their cities, according to a new U.S. Conference of Mayors poll. In a poll released on Sept. 17, more than 96% of 113 mayors found residents are very or extremely concerned about affordability. And they were almost unanimous in saying that housing costs are the biggest factor.“Americans are feeling squeezed by the cost of housing, groceries, utilities and other everyday necessities,” U.S. Conference of Mayors President Todd Gloria, who is mayor of San Diego, said in a statement.He added that the "affordability crisis is a national one and it requires strong federal partnership to fix it.” It comes as Congress has spent the year trying to respond to Americans' loud concerns that things are getting more expensive.About 94% of the mayors said the cost of living is rising in their cities and 39% said affordability has significantly worsened. It's not just housing, but also groceries, utilities, childcare, gas, and healthcare. Residents have less disposable income, and that's affecting local businesses, too, the mayors said.About 76% of mayors said the affordability crisis means increased rents...