(DCNF)—A new report appears to the show the true extent of the U.S. housing crisis.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spending appears to have no effect on lowing housing prices, according to a recent report by government spending watchdog OpenTheBooks.com, which analyzed data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Housing Finance Agency from 2015 to 2024. Additionally, the data suggests it that homeownership has become harder to attain in nearly every state regardless of partisan lean.
“Americans are rightly focused on affordability issues on the heels of years of historic inflation and new pressure on energy prices. Those macroeconomic factors have put homebuying out of reach for many Americans,” a spokesperson for OpenTheBooks.com told the DCNF.
The report defines the disparity between the change in house prices and the change in household income as the “affordability gap.”
The average affordability gap across all 50 states was 42.67%, whereas the 2024 Presidential Election’s seven battleground states averaged 54.77% — with Pennsylvania being the outlier at 34.79%.
However, housing affordability is not affected by whether one lives in a “red” or “blue” state, the data suggests.
The ten states with the widest gap were: Idaho (83.33%), Florida (77.19%), Utah (69.06%), Tennessee (66.15%), Arizona (65.47%), New Hampshire (65.36%), Nevada (65.25%), Maine (62.26%), Rhode Island (61.73%), and Washington (60.51%).
Meanwhile, the ten with the narrowest were: Louisiana (6.62%), West Virginia (9.93%), North Dakota (13.15%), Mississippi (16.11%), Alaska (18.75%), Illinois (20.51%), Maryland (23.48%), Iowa (25.89%), California (27.22%), Hawaii (29.16%), and Delaware (29.46%).
The HUD did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
HUD spending did not appear to affect it affordability either, per the report.
“Looking at the figures, prices have galloped ahead of incomes in every state in the union over the course of a decade,” the spokesperson said. “Nearly a half a trillion dollars was spent trying to make housing more affordable and accessible, but an analysis demonstrates it had no meaningful relationship with the state-by-state affordability gap families are now facing.”
The states that saw a high level of HUD spending on a per capita basis had figures up to $3,940, like Massachusetts. Many states were over $1,000 or over $2,000 per capita.
“What seems clear is this kind of massive top-down spending not only exacerbates inflationary pressures, it’s not demonstrably efficient or effective. It doesn’t seem to helping Americans close that gap between growing prices and incomes,” he said.
He told the DCNF that “a variety of other factors need to be considered” like local spending, regulation, and “more sensible federal budgeting.”
“Shoveling money at the problem from far-away Washington does not hold a lot of hope … The further from the construction site, the less effective these decisions and investments are likely to be,” he continued.
However, one thing that may have affected housing affordability is the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In a handful of states with, it’s also true that they experience an influx of folks who were leaving big cities during the Covid crisis,” the spokesperson said. “Idaho is a good example where home prices skyrocketed and people leaving states like California likely impacted that. But Idaho was also number one in the nation for income growth over that decade, which suggests that where people are moving, growth and opportunity are likely to follow in the future.”
He also told the DCNF that an even more “staggering” finding is the time it’d take a household with a median income to save up for a down payment on an average home in their state.
“If we presume a 10% pre-tax savings rate, which is by no means easy for every American, it would take more than 9 years to save for a 20% down payment in Alaska. That’s on the short end,” the spokesperson said. “In Maine, you’d be looking at a quarter of a century. After reviewing the numbers, it gets a lot easier to see why younger generations may have concluded the dream is out of reach and even given the American Dream a Gen Z makeover.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
