Gen Z candidates in both parties aim to tackle high housing costs

Oct 23, 2026 · Jennifer Ludden

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

Gen Z candidates in both parties aim to tackle high housing costs

Left: Democrat Olaleye Onikuyide, 28, is running for state representative in Connecticut. Right: Republican Lukas Schubert, 21, is campaigning for reelection as a state representative in Montana. Both candidates are focusing on a lack of affordable housing in their states.

Young candidates who rent or live with parents say their generation is "in the thick" of the country's housing affordability crisis. They argue this gives them new energy to solve it for everyone.

(Image credit: Raquel C. Zaldívar and Sarah Mosquera for NPR)