Former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Questions Nature of Affordability Crisis in HKS Lecture

Rouse ’86 questioned whether descriptions of a widespread affordability crisis align with economic data during a Thursday lecture at the Institute of Politics. But she said affordability concerns had “many dimensions,” pointing to declining homeownership and savings as clearer signs of financial strain.

Rouse argued that evidence of a widespread affordability crisis was less apparent in measures of working hours, medical care use, educational attainment, and rising debt.