Mayors across the United States say housing affordability has become the defining challenge of their administrations, shaping policies and priorities in cities large and small. More than half of mayors in a recent bipartisan survey expect affordability in their cities to decline over the next year, and nearly all say their residents are dissatisfied with current housing costs. Leaders from major cities like Atlanta and Seattle told Stateline that the housing crisis touches every aspect of civic life — from workforce stability to public safety — but that local governments often lack the authority to solve it alone. Many mayors are pursuing creative solutions, such as bond-funded construction, zoning reform, and partnerships with state and private entities, even as they face limits imposed by high construction costs, state preemption laws and community resistance to density. Read more at Stateline.
Source: Stateline; 10/27/2025