Table of ContentsIntroductionThe Drivers of the Housing CrisisThe Housing Market and Its ImplicationsAirbnb's Role in the CrisisHomelessness and VacancyA Solution: Eliminate Homeownership and restructure the systemConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionThis essay examines the multifaceted issue of the modern housing crisis, a pressing concern in contemporary American society. The term “housing crisis” encompasses the growing problems of exorbitant rents, unaffordable housing, homelessness, and gentrification, which collectively undermine the basic human right to safe and adequate housing. By examining the interplay between the real estate market, economic factors and social dynamics, this essay seeks to shed light on the underlying causes of the crisis and explores potential solutions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe drivers of the housing crisisThe housing market and its implicationsTo understand the intricacies of the housing crisis, it is imperative to gain an in-depth understanding of the real estate market, which serves as an arena for buying and selling homes. The housing market plays a central role in the distribution of properties to those who can afford them, thereby influencing the affordability of housing for various segments of the population. However, the influence of the housing market extends beyond simple distribution; it also promotes real estate development, often leading to gentrification. This process involves the influx of wealthier buyers into previously affordable neighborhoods, driving up rent prices. As a result, low-income families and individuals are displaced, contributing to declining homeownership rates and a burgeoning homeless population. In summary, housing market mechanisms result in high rent costs and unaffordable housing, leaving those who cannot meet these costs without adequate housing. This complex relationship between the housing market and the housing crisis highlights the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. Blaming specific demographic groups, such as millennials, for the housing crisis oversimplifies a deeply complex problem. It is crucial to recognize that the crisis is not the result of individual choices but rather a systemic problem rooted in the real estate market itself. The housing crisis appears to be a natural consequence of the existing system which forces individuals into untenable positions. In essence, it’s not that people choose not to buy housing; is that they face insurmountable obstacles that make homeownership an unattainable dream. The housing crisis reflects a system that perpetuates economic disparities and hinders housing affordability. Additionally, Fredrick Engels' historical documentation reveals the disastrous consequences of lax regulation on the housing market. During periods of lax oversight, homes were built in unsafe conditions, exacerbating the housing crisis and broader economic struggles. The flawed system put in place by the housing market has played a significant role in the rise of homelessness. The housing market promotes exorbitant prices, leaving only a privileged few with the luxury of homeownership – an essential need that should not be treated as a luxury. This systemic problem is a fundamental factor contributing to the growing number of homeless individuals and families. Airbnb's role in the Airbnb crisis,initially seen as a potential solution to the housing crisis, has undergone a transformation from an amateur operation to a professional enterprise. Rather than being a short-term rental platform for tourists, Airbnb has become synonymous with landlords evicting long-term tenants to capitalize on the lucrative tourist market. This change creates a rent gap, in which landlords seek to maximize profits through redevelopment, driving up rent prices and leaving tenants struggling to meet the new rates. Airbnb is exacerbating the crisis by contributing to rent gaps and driving gentrification. Unlike traditional gentrification, Airbnb requires minimal effort from owners to increase profits, making it particularly harmful to those who cannot afford housing. 18.5 million vacant homes. This glaring discrepancy highlights the misguided treatment of housing as a commodity rather than a basic human right. The housing crisis persists because homes are treated as tradable assets rather than necessities. The crisis transcends economic concerns and touches on questions of human rights and morality. It is society's responsibility to address this disparity by redistributing vacant housing to those in need, challenging the commodification of housing, and recognizing housing as a fundamental human right. One solution: eliminate ownership and restructure the system. A radical but transformative proposal to solve the housing problem. The crisis involves the elimination of the concept of ownership in the housing market. This approach would free individuals from the burden of mortgages and rent, allowing for greater mobility and flexibility in housing choices. The potential benefits of such a transformation are multiple. Abolishing the existing structure of the housing market would result in fewer vacant homes, less homelessness, and a reversal of gentrification in previously unaffordable neighborhoods. This proposal challenges the concept of landlords and promotes a society where housing is accessible to all.ConclusionIn conclusion, the modern housing crisis is a complex and urgent problem that requires a thorough examination of the housing market, its systemic flaws and potential solutions. Blaming specific demographics is an oversimplification of a deep-rooted problem. The root causes of the crisis lie in the flawed housing market system, which perpetuates economic disparities and contributes to homelessness. Airbnb is making the crisis even worse by widening rent gaps and driving gentrification. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Addressing the crisis requires a shift in societal perspective, recognizing housing as a fundamental human right rather than a tradable commodity. Radical proposals, such as eliminating homeownership in the housing market, challenge the status quo and pave the way for a fairer and more accessible housing system. Ultimately, it is imperative to consider the implications of the housing crisis for morality and human rights, urging us to rethink and reform the existing system for the benefit of all. Works cited by Amnesty International. (2019). United States: 3.5 million homeless and 18.5 million vacant homes – No excuse for vacant homes when so many.