Influences on United States housing policy

This article traces the forces that will affect housing policy in the United States for the rest of the 1990s. This broad and varied set of forces includes demographic and economic factors, government, and shifting societal values. The forces affecting housing for the coming years are both encouraging and disturbing. The housing future differs markedly for people of different social status and color. An improving economy augurs well for housing, but high minority unemployment, an inadequate social safety net, and other problems suggest otherwise. Despite generally rising incomes, tremendous inequalities remain. Blatant housing discrimination is receding, but significant housing separation by race continues. While America will continue to produce high‐amenity housing, affordability is a problem, especially among ethnic and minority populations. The federal government in the future will likely not increase its support for assisted housing, but there is growing involvement of state and local governments, foundations, and community organizations.