Young voters struggle to afford housing. But they don't expect help from political candidates

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mortgage rates are climbing sharply , home prices continue to gain and inflation in the broader economy is hitting consumers, leading housing affordability to weigh heavily on both renters and potential homebuyers. In Pennsylvania — a swing state where House races could help decide control of the next U.S. Congress — renting or owning a home is cheaper than the national average, but the share of income needed to do either has also risen along with the rest of the country. In 2019, it took 20% of the median income to rent a home and 18% to own. Today it's 22% and 24%, respectively, according to Cotality.