Democratic politicians at both the state and federal level are pushing plans to dramatically expand the government’s role in addressing unaffordable housing costs, as rent prices hit new highs in major American cities and the party’s increasingly young and urban base embraces big social programs.

....

The proposals, at least at the federal level, are likely dead-on-arrival with a Republican Congress and White House. But the Democratic Party’s various and sometimes conflicting ideas also reveal some internal divisions, with plans ranging from the government building millions of new housing units to offering more robust tax credits and easing restrictive city zoning codes.

Progressives say these policies will meet a growing crisis for millions of Americans, while critics say they show the party is embracing far-left rallying cries that miss economic realities and could make the problem worse. Nationwide, average rents in May were within a few dollars of their all-time highs, with Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Atlanta seeing their highest-ever prices, according to Zillow data.

....