#597 The Global Housing Crisis Explained

House prices have soared across the world, rising far faster than wages and locking many people out of home ownership. This episode looks at why cheap credit, global investors, short-term rentals, and slow building have pushed prices ever higher. It also asks whether governments can really fix the problem, or if expensive housing is the new normal. How house prices have outpaced wages since late 1990s. Cheap credit and low interest rates drove prices higher. 2008 crisis; policies kept prices from falling much. Homes treated as a global safe asset for investors. Demand outstrips supply: planning, NIMBY, limited land. Rising costs, labour shortages, and developers holding land constrained building. Population changes, migration, and smaller households increased demand. Higher interest rates raised mortgages; prices stayed high from lock-in. Local factors: Airbnb and visa schemes pushed prices up. Housing wealth passed down; family help now often essential. Are there any solutions? Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter --- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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#597 The Global Housing Crisis Explained is an episode from English Learning for Curious Minds by Leonardo English.

This episode is 28:40 long.

This episode was published on Feb 26, 2026.

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