Alex Schwartz – The Conversation

As sweeping as the bill is, its impact is likely to be modest. Ilia Yefimovich/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

July 11, 2026

A rare bipartisan housing bill just became law – but Americans will still struggle with affordability

Kirk McClure, University of Kansas and Alex Schwartz, The New School

The legislation is the first major housing bill to pass in decades.

As sweeping as the bill is, its impact is likely to be modest. Ilia Yefimovich/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

May 29, 2026

A rare bipartisan housing victory faces a bigger problem – Americans still can’t afford housing

Kirk McClure, University of Kansas and Alex Schwartz, The New School

If signed into law, the legislation would be the first major housing bill to pass in decades.

Thousands of American families that can’t find affordable apartments are stuck living in extended-stay motels. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

June 26, 2025

What if universal rental assistance were implemented to deal with the housing crisis?

Alex Schwartz, The New School and Kirk McClure, University of Kansas

If the government supported rental assistance in amounts commensurate with the tax benefits given to homeowners, it would drastically alleviate the housing affordability crisis.

The pandemic has made the affordable housing crisis a lot worse, in part by increasing the rate of evictions. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

November 12, 2021

Why building more homes won’t solve the affordable housing problem for the millions of people who need it most

Alex Schwartz, The New School and Kirk McClure, University of Kansas

California and other states plan to build more homes in an effort to fix America’s affordable housing problem. But that’s not the main reason housing remains unaffordable for millions of people.

Protesters demanding a freeze on rents in Minneapolis. Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via Getty Images

April 23, 2020

Renters still left out in the cold despite temporary coronavirus protection

Kirk McClure, University of Kansas and Alex Schwartz, The New School

Current measures prohibiting the eviction of tenants and helping them through the financial crisis won’t last forever. A 40-year-old voucher program might be a longer term solution.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson argues his housing reforms would increase self-sufficiency. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

May 3, 2018

Ben Carson’s effort to ‘reform’ housing safety net would deepen poverty by hurting poorest Americans

Alex Schwartz, The New School

The administration’s proposed changes to a decades-old housing program supporting the poorest Americans would jack up rents and deepen poverty in the US.

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