Recently I have noticed that Mainstream Media has noticed the problems with the market and rental housing as of late. A recent study ( Zillow, 2014) has found that no city has rents that can be afforded on minimum wage. Even the way the question is phrased reveals much bad in our conception of housing access. When 'affordable' is code for middle class and 'market rate' for ridiculously high rents housing is becoming too expensive for many Americans. The stupid high rental situation also drove the buying of un-affordable houses which crashed in 2008. If someone has to pay half their income might as well gain equity. Of course these payments are still too high and lead to people defaulting when calamity strikes. Austin Texas has noticed that the musicians which are used as such a marketing point for the city cannot afford the brave new rents of the last 15 years. The relationship between low rent apartments and a cities creativity may not seem obvious but creative people who are starting out need to not have to stress about keeping a roof over their head in order to devote sufficient time to their craft or art. Austin flowered in the late 80's because of low rents, which gave rise to the current scene. Even Manhattan, New York began its reign as incubator of talent with extremely cheap rents in the pre 1980 period. It actually cost less to live in NYC in the 1970's than other places because of cheap rent and not having to maintain a car. Now that how much housing insecurity perpetuates poverty and how gentrification destroys neighborhoods is being recognized what do we do. The first is a realization that 'The Market' does not work well for essentials. Medical care and housing are examples of places the Market fails in. Apartments are being built, but only for high income people. The culturally vital communities disrupted by gentrification are not valued in the Market. Those who claim people should just shut up if they cannot afford to live where they need to and have been living have a very shallow vision of human life. We somehow must learn to put a value on things not monetarized by the Market and therefore not valued. I do fell slightly vindicated by the increased visibility of issues I have been involved in since the 1980's. Maybe 1970's and 1980's radicals are right on more issues. Something to think about.