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- Affordability is the word of the moment; look no further than the election of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- We want to hear from you: Tell us about how your city has tried to make life more affordable.
- Think free bus programs, increased development and housing stock, and childcare access.
Affordability is the word of the year. Look no further than the ascension of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, or President Donald Trump’s economic messaging.
As lowering costs takes center stage, we want to know what — if anything — has helped make life more affordable for city-dwellers.
For instance, a spate of new apartment buildings has helped, in part, to lower rent prices in Austin. A limited free bus program in Boston has meant that riders saved an average of $35 monthly, and a similar program in Kansas City has led to a drop in safety incidents, though it’s proven costly during budget shortfalls. After the enactment of a rent control ordinance in St. Paul, Minnesota, the number of building permits plunged, and some development halted; in neighboring Minneapolis, a loosening of land-use regulations meant a spate of new builds and housing.
Tell us about your experiences with programs like these by filling out the form below; we want to know what they’ve meant for your wallet and budget. You can also reach this reporter at jkaplan@businessinsider.com if you have a story to share.
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