The influx of people entering or living in America illegally has been identified as a major contributor to the nation’s housing crisis. This is not just limited to areas near the border but extends even to states far away such as Ohio.
The City Manager of Springfield, Bryan Heck, sent an urgent letter to U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Sherrod Brown requesting federal aid to address this issue. Despite efforts by the city to advance housing projects, the sheer number of migrants arriving in and residing in the area has stretched resources thin.
In his letter, Heck stated that Springfield has seen a surge in population through immigration that has significantly impacted its ability to provide enough housing opportunities for all residents. The Haitian population in the city has increased dramatically over the past four years, growing by as much as 20,000 people within a community of approximately 60,000 previous residents. This surge has placed significant strain on resources and the ability to provide ample housing for all residents.
This issue was highlighted during a Senate Banking Committee hearing where Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, presented Heck’s letter as an example of how increasing numbers of immigrants are reducing the supply of housing and driving up costs. Vance emphasized that Springfield is not only trying to build 5,000 new housing units – a feat in itself for a town with a population of about 55,000 people – but it also faces challenges in providing adequate hospital and school services due to the rapid growth in its immigrant population.
This phenomenon is not limited to Springfield alone. Since January 2021, an estimated 12 million people have entered the country illegally, hailing from more than 150 countries. The surge in immigration has undoubtedly placed additional pressure on America’s already strained housing market, impacting both urban and rural areas across the nation.
