Affordability is toward the front of many people’s minds — and affordable housing is a major component of that, with people struggling more and more to find long-term homes viable for their bank accounts. In this episode of “Economics with Aria,” host Aria Allen dives into how one economic policy can impact the general trend of affordable housing: interest rates. She speaks with UNC city and regional planning professor Roberto Quercia about how the federal decisions can spur the market forward or hold it back. Aria also chats with low-income renter Sunny Duncan, who details the challenges of finding affordable housing in the greater Chapel Hill community, and Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson to learn about how the local government is adjusting its own strategies to improve the low-income housing supply.

Host: Aria Allen

Producers: Aria Allen and Brighton McConnell

Economics Editor: Gerald Cohen

Theme Music: Alan Hunt

Cover Artwork: Aria Allen

Have you ever wondered how macroeconomic policy affects our daily lives in Orange County? Join Aria Allen — an economics reporting fellow for 97.9 The Hill WCHL in Chapel Hill, N.C. — as she dives into these topics and explores how economic policies impact the Triangle community in this monthly series! Listen on Chapelboro, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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