09/25/2026
Thank you Molly Hilligoss presented on affordability at this week's Democracy Across the Disciplines lecture on Wednesday, September 23. As the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, Hilligoss provided insights into what "affordable" really means and the financial challenges affronting local communities.
Overall, we are seeing a trend of population growth which construction of new housing is not keeping up with. As the average first-time homebuyer currently sits at 40 years old and is having less children, towns across the U.S. are expected to experience labor shortages in the near future that will further amplify the affordable housing crisis. Moreover, as Americans live longer, existing units are not going back on the market so quickly as they once were.
Other costs associated with homeownership are rising too. Utility bills, insurance rates, property taxes, and maintenance costs are just some pain points here. Hilligoss noted that a large percentage of local families in our region are ALICE: asset-limited, income-constrained, employed individuals. While changes to federal and state policy can support this uphill climb, we have a lot of work to do to ensure affordable housing is accessible in Wicomico County and across the U.S.
As the midterms draw closer, consider your own thoughts about affordability before visiting the polls.
Join the conversation about crime and criminal justice next week on Wednesday, September 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Conway 153. See you there!
