Immigrants are 35% of the construction trades workforce but 18% of the labor force overall—and they’ve accounted for all net growth in the trades since 2013. My new @harvard-jchs.bsky.social brief on the outsized role of immigrants in the trades just dropped: www.jchs.harvard.edu/research-are...

The Outsized Role of Immigrants in the Construction Trades

This research brief examines the disproportionately large role of immigrants in the construction trades in the US. Foreign-born workers play an outsized role in the trades in nearly every major metro ...

jchs.harvard.edu

"By withdrawing these funds, the Administration is abandoning American families struggling with escalating #Housing costs.” @sjccorn.bsky.social

Article - CFA Condemns the Administration’s Unlawful Rescission of Funds Appropriated for Housing | Consumer Federation of America

The Trump Administration is canceling $56 million of the $58 million Congress appropriated for housing counseling through a pocket rescission. This is the third time in the past two years that funding...

consumerfed.org

“We definitely have been worried by the application of #AI in the administration’s rulemaking process and in the announcement of executive orders.” It fits within a broader trend of lots of applications of AI rolling out quickly without due diligence.” @sjccorn.bsky.social

HUD eyes AI tool to review grant spending. Housing advocates have concerns

The system will analyze every check written by a grant recipient starting at the end of this month. Housing and tech experts worry about politicization and its impact on small awardees.

fedscoop.com

America is in the middle of a #Housing affordability crisis. So why are members of #Congress voting against more funding for housing? Find out in CFA’s latest blog by @sjccorn.bsky.social

Article - Why is Congress Leaving $300 Million for Housing Funding on the Table? | Consumer Federation of America

By requiring the Federal Home Loan Banks to contribute more to housing it could annually help fund the construction of an estimated 12,500 affordable rental units, provide down payment and closing cos...

consumerfed.org

“We applaud @repmaxinewaters.bsky.social for taking action to increase the Federal Home Loan Banks’ minimum contributions to #AffordableHousing for the first time in more than 35 years" @sjccorn.bsky.social #FHLBanks

Article - CFA and the Coalition for FHLBank Reform Endorse Rep. Maxine Waters' Bill to Increase Affordable Housing Funding | Consumer Federation of America

Congresswoman Maxine Waters bill (H.R. 10325), would increase the Federal Home Loan Banks mandatory contribution to Affordable Housing Programs nation-wide. Passage of the bill would direct approximat...

consumerfed.org

“We’ve talked a lot about our #Insurance affordability crisis,” said @sjccorn.bsky.social, director of #Housing at CFA. “What we haven’t really talked about is the racially inequitable impacts, and that Black and Hispanic #Homeowners are particularly struggling.”

As Extreme Weather Worsens, Black and Hispanic Homeowners Are Paying More for Insurance - Inside Climate News

Residents in predominantly Hispanic communities in Florida are paying on average $5,014 more annually for their policies, a new report says.

insideclimatenews.org

“Older adults are the most vulnerable. They're often more socially isolated, or they may be alone, so they may not have the network to really double-check” @sjccorn.bsky.social Borrowers who are 55 and older overpay by nearly $2,400 per year on #Mortgage refinancing

The 'Seniority Tax': How Lenders Overcharge Older Refinancers - Bankrate

Bankrate watchdog report: Aggressive lenders push refinancing on older Americans, resulting in thousands of extra dollars in fees and interest.

bankrate.com

“Over the thirty years of a #Mortgage, the racial premium gap in #Insurance can add tens of thousands of dollars in #Housing costs,” @sjccorn.bsky.social says.

The high cost of #Homeowners insurance does not impact all communities equally. Our new report shows, homeowners in predominantly #Black and #Hispanic ZIP codes are charged significantly more for the same homeowners #Insurance coverage than homeowners living in predominantly white ZIP codes.

Rising #Insurance premiums have strained household budgets, but the high cost of #Homeowners insurance doesn't impact all communities equally. Our new report finds that homeowners in predominantly #Black and #Hispanic ZIP codes are charged significantly more. @sjccorn.bsky.social

Article - Redlined | Consumer Federation of America

New report finds on average, homeowners in Black communities pay 16% more for homeowners insurance, or approximately $500 more each year, than homeowners in white communities. Homeowners in Hispanic c...

consumerfed.org

"When they're talking to insurance companies, they're not talking about #housing; they're talking about how they can boost profits by getting cheap loans and investing it in higher-yielding assets," @sjccorn.bsky.social . "This is not what the government intended." #FHLBanks

Is private credit a new risk for the Federal Home Loan banks?

Life insurers' borrowings from the Federal Home Loan banks has increased in recent years, raising concerns about opaque, private credit investments and how it intersects with the Federal Home Loan ban...

americanbanker.com

At #UAA2026? Don't miss a session with Sharon Corneliseen @sjccorn.bsky.social to discuss Last House on the Block, a close look at the Detroit neighborhood of Brightmoor and the harsh reality of depopulation and urban decline, today at 11:10am. Learn more about the book here: bit.ly/UCPEXUAA

First and foremost, talk to your #mortgage servicer, said @sjccorn.bsky.social. Find out whether you qualify for a property tax exemption. Many have programs that help reduce costs for owner-occupants, for elderly #homeowners and those with special needs or disabilities. @usatoday.com

Housing costs are through the roof. Escrow shortages are one symptom

As homeownership costs like insurance and taxes jump, more owners have escrow account shortages, even as many struggle with the basic cost of living.

usatoday.com

The Federal Home Loan Bank System #FHLBank can and should do much more to tackle our #housing crisis. Learn more in CFA's latest blog by @sjccorn.bsky.social #AffordableHousing

Unlocking Billions for Housing: Why Congress Should Reform the Federal Home Loan Bank System · Consumer Federation of America

While Congress founded the FHLBanks in order to boost access to affordable liquidity in U.S. housing markets, the System has strayed from this public mission in recent decades. The majority of FHLBank...

consumerfed.org

Our nation's top #housing regulator strikes again... #FHFA

Timothy McBride@mcbridetd.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Scoop: Trump discussed "Jesus" meme with Bill Pulte before posting it, sources say www.axios.com/2026/04/15/t...

Realtor commision rules changed over one year ago -- but what changed for first-time homebuyers? Read about stable commisions, the rise of #pocketlistings, and other top #housing challenges in our new @consumerfed.bsky.social report with the National Urban League. consumerfed.org/reports/esca...

Escalating Housing Costs, Hidden Listings · Consumer Federation of America

A new report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), in collaboration with the National Urban League (NUL) examines the aftermath of the 2024 National Association of Realtors settlement. the re...

consumerfed.org

Why are private equity companies gobbling up taxpayer-subsidized housing loans? New blog from @consumerfed.bsky.social and UFCW: we expose how firms like Apollo and Blue Owl are using the FHLBank System’s cheap funding for high-risk private credit. consumerfed.org/private-equi...

Private Equity is Gobbling Up Subsidized Housing Loans: Consumers and Workers Beware · Consumer Federation of America

Cracks are showing in the world of private credit, as investors are anxious to withdraw their investments from private credit funds amid higher default rates and write downs. Once an esoteric part of ...

consumerfed.org

Treasury should also talk to #FHFA: its regulated FHLBanks are also exposed to PE-owned insurance companies. In 2025, Apollo-owned Athene insurance company became the largest borrower of the FHLBanks of Des Moines -- with more than $23B in outstanding loans www.ft.com/content/09f4...

US Treasury calls in regulators for talks on private credit risks

Discussions will include American and international insurance watchdogs

ft.com

CFA and a coalition of national organizations sent a letter to #Congress urging oversight hearings, calling Director Pulte to account for his actions that have undermined the functionality of #FHFA and worsened our #Housing affordability crisis.

National Organizations Call for Oversight Hearings FHFA Director, As Part of Addressing Our Nation's Housing Crisis · Consumer Federation of America

Director William J. Pulte was sworn in to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on March 14, 2025. CFA and other national organizations sent a letter to the US House Financial Services and Se...

consumerfed.org

"If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is," says @sjccorn.bsky.social, the director of housing for CFA. a San Francisco-based startup, proposes an unorthodox alternative: What if you could buy the house without the land? @businessinsider.com

What if you could buy a house — but not the land? A radical idea promises cheaper homebuying

A growing web of fractional-ownership startups say they offer cheaper paths to homeownership. But not everyone is buying into their promises.

businessinsider.com

What are the impacts of " #mortgage deserts"? @marketplace.org “It means that local #homeownership opportunities go down, and less wealth is being built locally in a community,” @sjccorn.bsky.social said.

What are "mortgage deserts"?

In areas where fewer homes are bought using mortgages, getting on the property ladder is even more difficult.

marketplace.org

Today, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to make homeownership more sustainable and address challenges with housing supply and affordability. The House should swiftly follow suit. Read NCLC's letter of support: www.nclc.org/resources/le... #ProtectConsumers #FairHousing

Letter to Senators Thune, Schumer in Support of the Bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), on behalf of its low-income clients, supports the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act legislative package and encourages its swift passage. The Act inclu...

nclc.org

Gearing up for spring reading? My book “The Last House on the Block” — alongside other soc books — is now 30% off, valid until May 8! #ethnography #sociology

The University of Chicago Press@uchicagopress.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Even though #ESS2026 is coming to an end, there’s still time to browse our virtual exhibit! Get 30% off & free domestic shipping on books with promo code EX58256: bit.ly/UCPEXESS

Really great to see our report on “Mortgage Deserts” quoted in the Atlantic, one of my favorite reads! 💙🙌 #housingpolicy

Consumer Federation of America@consumerfed.bsky.social · 7mo ago

“Mortgage deserts” formed in disinvested neighborhoods, as well as in vacation towns. In Baltimore, half of #homes were purchased without a #mortgage in 2022 and 2023, a report by @sjccorn.bsky.social, the director of housing at CFA, found. Full Article Here: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

During his #SOTU, Trump said “the roaring economy is roaring like never before.” But the data tell a far more complicated and concerning story. CFA’s State of the #Economy examines the real financial conditions facing American households. #AffordabilityCrisis #FoodPolicy

Ahead of the President’s #SOTU Address, it is essential to present the economic #Facts clearly and transparently. CFA’s State of the #Economy examines the real financial conditions facing American households at this critical moment. #AffordabilityCrisis

CFA’s State of the Economy 2026 · Consumer Federation of America

Ahead of the President’s State of the Union Address, it is essential to present the economic facts clearly and transparently. CFA’s State of the Economy examines the real financial conditions facing A...

consumerfed.org

What do learn if a city’s future is not defined by rapid change, but by who leaves and who stays? Listen back to me in conversation with Laura Taylor and @tricksterprince.bsky.social on BBC radio, on atypical gentrification: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Gentrification in Detroit and London

Failed gentrification in Detroit and the human cost of urban redevelopment in 1920s London

bbc.co.uk

We need safe, strong, independent regulators advocating on behalf of the American people. @sjccorn.bsky.social @repnikema.bsky.social #FHFA #CFPB

Grateful to return to NYU and IPK. It was amazing to see so many familiar faces in the audience (in an overflowing room!) and to be a part of public sociology long championed by @ericklinenberg.bsky.social!

Institute for Public Knowledge@ipk.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Tonight at IPK: @sjccorn.bsky.social discusses her new book The Last House on the Block: Black Homeowners, White Homesteaders, and Failed Gentrification in Detroit with @tomsugrue.bsky.social and Iddo Tavory.

"The Last House on the Block" (published @uchicagopress.bsky.social) by Sharon Cornelissen (@sjccorn.bsky.social) is the topic of the Institute for Public Knowledge's (@ipk.bsky.social ) book event this evening at 5:30pm. We will be handling book sales during the event tonight.