An unanticipated and unintended side affect of the nation's booming economy is the increase in housing costs. The stereotype of a housing crunch affecting only low-income people is no longer applicable, as the current crisis is engulfing the middle class. The housing crisis is partially caused by neglect of current housing units, a decline of housing production and soaring housing prices. However, a rising number of families are spending more than half of their income to make sure that they have a roof over their heads. Increasingly, housing is becoming the limiting factor to many people's prosperity.
Housing is an issue that is quietly affecting America.
In response, though, politicians seem to have few answers or ideas to address the situation. The only other mention is Gore's response to a Town Hall question about it. Gov. George W. Bush's Web site has no sections devoted to housing issues. A Web site search reveals mentions of housing, but only in passing and usually part of another issue. James Gibson, running under the banner of the Independence Party, is the only senate candidate to mention housing on his Web page.