President Donald Trump revealed during a Cabinet meeting on January 29, 2026, that his goal is to elevate housing prices rather than reduce them.
"I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes."
Donald Trump, in a Cabinet meeting on January 29, 2026.
He added that existing homeowners should remain wealthy, and "We're not going to keep destroying the value of their homes so that somebody that didn't work very hard can buy a home."
This stance comes amid national concerns over affordability, with Trump emphasizing easier buying through policies like lower interest rates, without crashing values.
The pros of Trump's approach center on protecting asset wealth for millions of Americans.
Homeownership represents the largest financial asset for most families, and rising prices boost equity, retirement security, and generational wealth transfer. In a strong economy, higher values signal stability and attract investment, potentially spurring construction if paired with deregulation. For older generations who worked decades to build equity, this prevents erosion from market corrections, maintaining their hard-earned gains.
However, the cons hit young people hardest, trapping Gen Z and Millennials in a cycle of unaffordability. Homes now cost 5x as much as in the 1980s, with median prices soaring from $79,000 in 1980 to over $400,000 today.
Rent often matches or exceeds mortgage payments, leaving little room to save for down payments. Many lack the assets or credit history for loans, as banks demand 15-20% down and stellar scores amid high interest rates. This forces delayed life milestones like marriage and family, with birth rates plummeting as couples cram into apartments or live with parents.
The dollar's plummeting value exacerbates everything. Since 1980, inflation has eroded purchasing power by about 75%, meaning $1 then equals roughly $0.25 today. Everyday essentials like food, energy, and education have ballooned, but wages have stagnated for decades, making it nearly impossible for young workers to get started.
Combined with student debt averaging $37,000 and stagnant entry-level pay, homeownership feels like a relic of the past. Trump's push for higher prices would widen this gap, benefiting boomers at the expense of their children and grandchildren.
America needs real solutions that build wealth without locking out the next generation. Cut zoning laws, slash the red tape strangling new construction, and get inflation under control with real fiscal discipline. Without this, the American Dream is just a memory for millions who need it most.