Housing shortages in big cities can have severe consequences .

Title: Housing shortages in big cities can have severe consequences. Only government action can solve the problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?


Article:
Housing shortage is one of the most significant problems observed in the metropolis over the decade. As the trend continues to grow, it has sparked public interest in how can we solve the problem. As housing is a basic need, the government should step in to protect the consumer rights and make sure the markets are fair. That is not to say that individuals have nothing to say in the matter. (That is not to say that indivuals have no word in the matter.)

As many city dwellers regard housing investment as an effective way to get rich, they borrow more money than they should to purchase real estate. Let us consider the current financial crisis in America which is partly caused by a real estate bubble.

Also consider that there are many people with low and medium incomes who can not buy such expensive real estate. Clearly the government should step in and set reasonable limits on prices so that not only the super rich can afford to live in cites.


Besides, local authorities in small cities should put funds in public services, including education and healthcare so that citizens in small cities would prefer to stay in their hometown rather than to live in big cities.

For individuals ,especially youngster, investing in real estate is not the only way to accumulate wealth. Compared with purchasing houses at a great expense, an investment in job skills training can have huge rewards in the long run .

To summarise, the government and the individuals play important roles in improving real estate market（改善房地产市场). Housing should be a basic human right, like water and food, but if we do not act soon, it will be a privilege only for the rich.