All issues are women’s issues, but no issue is more important today to the largest voting bloc than housing. Women want affordable housing — whether a first apartment after college, a starter home to begin a family, or a place to age with dignity. We have arrived at the moment for policymakers to address the structural challenges that have restricted housing supply and made housing so expensive.
Women today feel deep pessimism about their financial future. According to a New York Times poll in early 2026, shelter costs ranked as most concerning for women, followed by healthcare. Nearly six out of 10 women characterized the cost of housing as completely unaffordable, outpacing men by a 10-point margin.
Americans overall are fatigued by high shelter costs. Some 23 million renters (half) and 21 million homeowners (a quarter) reported spending well above the recommended 30% of their income on housing costs. Being home-burdened forces people to cut back on quality-of-life expenses, such as family vacations, dining out, and debt repayment. In lower-income homes with stretched budgets, rent and mortgage increases can force painful choices such as between medicine, heat, and groceries.