Pensacola’s Housing Crisis: Why Locals Can’t Afford to Stay

APP Smol Podcast Episode 1

Pensacola and the panhandle are growing fast — but for many locals, the dream of owning a home or finding affordable rent is slipping further out of reach. In this episode of A Pensacola Perspective, we’re digging into what’s driving soaring rent prices, the squeeze on first-time buyers, and how short-term rentals and out-of-town investors are reshaping our neighborhoods. We’ll talk about overdevelopment in some areas while other blocks sit vacant, and what it means for our community’s future. But this isn’t just about the problems — it’s about solutions. From community land trusts to local-first homeownership policies, we’ll explore ideas for reimagining what homeownership could look like right here in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. If you care about keeping the Gulf Coast a place where locals can live, work, and thrive — whether you’re a fifth-generation Pensacolian or just crossed the Three Mile Bridge — this episode is for you. New episodes every first Tuesday and last Thursday of the month. #app850 #pensacola #podcast #minipodcast