Mounting Debt for Young Americans Puts Homeownership out of Reach

Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Thursday, June 26, 2014

The U.S. housing recovery should regain its footing, but faces a number of challenges according to a new report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Tight credit, elevated unemployment and mounting student loan debt among young Americans are moderating growth and keeping millennials out of the market. Although the housing industry saw notable increases in construction, home prices and sales in 2013, household growth has yet to fully recover from the effects of the recession. Nevertheless, the report predicts that millennials will be key to reviving housing demand as they age into their more owner-oriented 30's.