The housing crisis is a global conundrum of modern life, as nearly every country in the world faces a shortage of affordable housing, drastically rising costs of living, and surging rates of homelessness.
Climate change and wealth inequality exacerbate the issue, and housing continues to be seen as a commodity rather than a basic human right.
Most everyday people barely have the capacity to take a break, let alone spend time digging into the complexities that shaped how we arrived in today’s economic reality, and find themselves at the mercy of it all instead.
But knowledge is power, and understanding the housing crisis — and all of the factors that contribute to it — is vital in being a part of the solution.
Whether you want to understand the economics of the housing market inside and out of the United States, are curious about the social implications of homelessness, or you’re seeking an accessible entry point into understanding housing at all, these recommendations are a great place to start.
By the way, some of the links in this article (like books!) are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
3 Books That Make the Housing Crisis Easier to Understand
“And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America” by Maria Foscarinis
“And Housing for All” is a concise yet comprehensive nonfiction book by the founding director of the National Homelessness Law Center.
In the pages of this book, Foscarinis explores the origin of the housing crisis, shares intimate stories of people who found themselves homeless, and explains how to move forward.
“Dwelling” by Emily Hunt Kivel
“Dwelling” is a newly released novel that projects a fictional character’s story onto the very real problem of the American housing crisis.
When the protagonist is part of a sudden mass eviction in New York City, a goofy — yet somehow totally relatable — fairy tale ensues. Spoiler alert: The lead ends up living in a giant cowboy boot in Texas, since it’s the only place she can actually afford.
“In Defense of Housing: The Politics of Crisis” by Peter Marcuse and David Madden
“In Defense of Housing” dives into the inequalities created by the commodification of housing.
Written by an urban planner and a sociologist, the book examines the causes and effects of the global housing crisis, including displacement and gentrification, and offers alternative solutions that go beyond tiny policy tweaks to push the world toward real change.
Podcasts About The Housing Crisis
“Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America”
“Sold Out” by KQED is a podcast that explores the complexities of housing in America, especially in California. In its first two seasons, the show explored rental inequalities, evictions, and affordability.
Now, “Sold Out” is investigating the intersection of climate change and housing, while sharing the solutions that will help us protect communities and overcome the systemic barriers that keep us from thriving.
Listen: KQED
“A Tiny Plot”
“A Tiny Plot,” produced by Snap Judgment, is an award-winning, five-part podcast series that tells the stories of a group of homeless people in Oakland, California as they build their own encampment community.
The show investigates the city’s attempts to improve housing, while spotlighting the power and dignity in building a life while homeless.
Listen: Snap Judgment
“Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing”
“Beyond Four Walls” by the National Housing Conference is a podcast led and created by America’s broadest and oldest coalition of affordable housing leaders.
The show explores topics surrounding affordable housing, including policy, creative solutions to homelessness, and even how to strengthen communities.
Listeners will better understand the future of homebuying — and all of the hurdles and potential solutions that mark the way.
Listen: National Housing Conference
Movies About Housing & Homelessness
“Slumlord Millionaire”
“Slumlord Millionaire” is a PBS documentary that exposes New York City’s corrupt landlords, gentrification, and hostile rental market.
Amid the mounting housing crisis, the documentary follows a group of residents, activists, and nonprofit attorneys as they fight corruption and organize for the basic human right to a home.
Watch: slumlordmillionairefilm.com
“Forced to Move: A Climate Story”
“Forced to Move” is a short documentary film that delves into the reality of climate refugees, people forced to evacuate their communities in the wake of a climate disaster, often leaving them with no home to return to.
The film sheds light on the intersection of climate change and housing that will reorient us all in the fight for a better future for all.
Watch: Climate Refugees
“The Last Black Man in San Francisco”
“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” is not a documentary, but a fictional feature film by A24 that is loosely based on co-writer and lead actor Jimmie Fails’s real story.
The movie follows a young Black man’s efforts to reclaim his childhood home and keep his history and experiences from being erased as gentrification displaces his community.
Watch: A24
You may also like: Criminalizing homelessness isn't the answer. But these 3 proven interventions are
A version of this article was originally published in The 2026 Home Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image by Simon Brandintel via Pexels
