“They're people with jobs. They're people who work full-time and still can't afford to live in the city. San Francisco is moving fast. Entire neighborhoods are changing. And thousands of people are being left behind.” This quote comes from a Vox article entitled “Inside San Francisco’s housing crisis” and it is indicative of what is going on in an increasing number of places across the country.
While there is no doubt that the city has wonderful elements to it that include great culture, diversity, unique architecture, creativity, and fabulous restaurants, the “San Franciscoization” of an increasing number of cities is spreading a set of housing circumstances that was once confined to a smaller number of areas to many more.
The San Franciscoization term refers to an assortment of factors associated with a several lack of quality housing that is affordable that includes skyrocketing rent and a housing market that is financially out of reach for most Americans.
Housing instability is an issue for students that has always been a factor for a segment of the population but may explode to a larger portion in short order if current trends continue. Explosions in the cost of housing are causing financial states of emergency in households across the country. The social, mental, and physical consequences of this are devastating.
As eviction moratoriums expire and other forms of housing support evaporate or languish; the fate of students and families hang in balance. The plight of those who are trying to figure out how they are going to maintain some semblance of a material quality of life is deserving of care, concern, and attention.