35 photos of tiny living spaces that highlight the global affordability crisis

Alexandria Park tiny-home village in Los Angeles is for individuals experiencing homelessness. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Cities around the world are facing growing housing demand, and rents are increasing globally. People live in micro apartments, cage homes, and shacks as a result. In the US, tiny-home villages are trying to address homelessness. In 2026, the affordability crisis is touching every aspect of daily life. At the grocery store , inflation has driven up the costs of household products and food, while people globally have been feeling the strain of the war in Iran at the gas pump. Others are struggling with the cost of living when it comes to housing, too, as cities face housing shortages and rising rents. Economic hardships like these are being felt around the world, leaving many people with no choice but to rent uncomfortably small living arrangements.