The US housing market is in a crunch. It’s more unaffordable than ever before to buy a home, and the average age for first-time buyers across the country is now 40, according to the National Association of Realtors. Not only is that making it harder for people to own property, it’s also putting pressure on the rental market. 

Host Sonja Hutson travels to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to get a better picture of how we got here, and how residents are dealing with the high cost of shelter.

Mentioned in this podcast:

‘We need that help’: US cities struggle with housing affordability crisis

The Bethlehem Project is hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson and edited by Marc Filippino. Fact checking by Henry Larson. The show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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