The affordability crisis isn’t just about high prices anymore. For millions of Americans, it’s become a constant calculation of questions: what vacation to skip, what to cut from the grocery list, what appointment to delay, and what happens if the safety nets holding everything together disappear.

In this week’s feature, reporter Rainesford Stauffer talks to families, economists, and policy experts about why the crisis runs deeper than inflation, and what solutions could actually make life more affordable, from stronger wages to expanded public benefits and local policy reforms already showing results.

For Theresa, a 44-year-old single mom in New Jersey, everything from the price of groceries to energy bills has risen significantly over the past six months. She was saving up to purchase a used car, which she needs because her area isn’t easily commutable via public transit. But now, she sees gas prices skyrocketing, and the amount she would need socked away for a big purchase keeps growing. She works a few hours a week for a fast-casual food franchise, usually covering shifts for large orders or when someone is out sick. But she is also a full-time caregiver for her sons, who are autistic and need round-the-clock support.

Read the full feature here.

Over the course of reporting, what people emphasized time and time again is that, just as the affordability crisis is a result of policy choices, there are opportunities to make different decisions. What stood out to me is that sources, whether they were experts discussing policy or individuals sharing the toll of cuts to resources and rising costs on their day-to-day lives, had endless ideas about what would truly ensure everyone can thrive. Rather than discussing affordability in the abstract, they focused on solutions that meet basic needs, but also center the idea that people deserve more than just getting by. Solving the affordability crisis would mean creating opportunity, giving people more autonomy, workers reclaiming power in their workplaces, caring for communities—all inherently hopeful acts. 

— Rainesford Stauffer

Illinois, New Jersey, and other states are experimenting with tax credits and grant programs to keep local news alive. In an industry defined by collapsing funding, it’s one of the few models showing real momentum.