Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America

The American ideal of spacious, affordable homes has become increasingly out of reach, with punishing rents and prohibitive ownership costs now symbolizing economic inequality. Nowhere is this more evident than in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the housing crisis provides a stark look at the nation's future.

Conor Dougherty, an economics reporter for The New York Times, delves into this crisis from its epicenter, tracing the decades of history and economic forces that have led to the current situation. Through in-depth research and compelling storytelling, Dougherty chronicles the complex factors driving skyrocketing housing prices and their impact on individuals and communities. The book introduces readers to a range of real-life characters, from a math teacher building a political movement to end single-family zoning, to a teenager fighting a rent increase, and a nun acquiring properties to create affordable housing. "Golden Gates" offers insights into the economics, laws, and human experiences behind the rising housing prices and explores potential solutions, highlighting the resilience of those actively fighting for affordable living.