1070: Squatters | Skeptical Sunday

Rental Prices

The escalating rental prices in cities like Portland and Bozeman highlight a growing housing crisis. Nick Pell shares his experience of living in Portland, where rents have skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for many residents 1. He notes that the average rent increase has been 13.7% annually since 1980, while wages have only grown by 0.2% 1. This disparity forces people to either move to less desirable locations or face financial strain.

The cheap cities are becoming few and far between. The people who are experiencing the biggest issues finding housing, I think it's safe to say, are probably people who don't have some robust skill set that allows them to move clear across the country.

--- Nick Pell

Jordan Harbinger adds that even cities like Bozeman, Montana, have seen a 20% rent increase, driven by an influx of remote workers and restrictive zoning laws 2.

   

Economic Pressures

Economic pressures are pushing more people towards squatting as housing becomes increasingly unaffordable. Nick Pell argues that the lack of affordable housing is more dangerous than the squatters themselves, as it leaves many people without viable living options 3. He emphasizes that property rights are crucial, but the economic system is failing those with low-income jobs 3.

Having a bunch of people who are only qualified to do low-income jobs that now don't even pay enough to rent a decent place to live is probably more dangerous than the squatters.

--- Nick Pell

Jordan Harbinger reflects on the urban anarchy of the past, where abandoned buildings became makeshift homes for those priced out of the market 4.