Shortage of affordable housing in mid-sized US cities

Families and low-income individuals in cities like Vermillion struggle to find affordable homes they can actually purchase or rent, forcing them into long commutes or unstable housing situations. Current market solutions fail because private developers prioritize profit margins over affordability, and government housing programs move too slowly to meet demand. Non-profits like Habitat for Humanity are breaking ground on projects precisely because the private market has abandoned this segment.