One in four households is living paycheck to paycheck. Fewer than half of Americans could cover a $1,000 emergency. High costs have eroded the quality of life for too many households and placed generational milestones like homeownership out of reach. The affordability crisis isn’t theoretical—it’s reshaping the future of the middle class.
Independent Women’s special report on affordability unpacks policy solutions to address the rising cost of living. Government overregulation, high taxation, and expansive federal spending are largely to blame, particularly in the areas of housing, energy, health care, and child and elder care. Women are disproportionately affected by these affordability challenges because they make the lion’s share of spending decisions in most households. The report proposes free-market solutions, including deregulation, pro-growth tax reform, and price transparency, to increase supply, reduce costs, and restore the American Dream.
