In Raleigh, Vance blames housing costs on undocumented immigrants

Sen. JD Vance blamed "illegal aliens" for driving up housing costs and exacerbating the affordability crisis at a rally at Raleigh's Union Station Wednesday.

The big picture: The vice presidential candidate focused on three issues that will be top of mind for many Americans when they cast their ballot in the upcoming election: crime, the economy and immigration.

• "Now we talk a lot about inflation and the economy, and justifiably so, because there are way too many American families struggling," Vance told the crowd.

Driving the news: Vance attributed high housing costs to rising interest rates and undocumented immigrants, saying Vice President Kamala Harris "flooded the country with cheap labor and people who are competing with you for homes."

• Housing is "completely unaffordable for young Americans" in Raleigh and other big cities, he said.

Between the lines: The focus on housing from candidates this election reflects how urgent the long-simmering shortage has become, writes Axios' Emily Peck .

• Housing affordability hit a record low in Raleigh last year, and home sales remain sluggish , as mortgage rates , increased home values and a lack of inventory are dampening the appeal and feasibility of buying a home.

The intrigue: During the speech, Vance referenced Springfield, Ohio, just over a week after former President Trump made headlines for raising a baseless conspiracy theory that Haitian immigrants are eating pets there.

• Vance, who has doubled down on the claim since then, said Wednesday "the media" is "gaslighting and lying to us" by claiming that the majority of Haitians in Springfield are in the country legally .
• "We've heard from a number of residents that there are certain parts of town where they won't even drive because the illegal immigrants who have come in have made it unsafe to be on the roads," Vance said.

Zoom in: Vance took questions from reporters after his remarks.

• "I'll take as many questions as we have time for because I happen to believe that if you want to be the American people's president, you ought not be afraid of friendly American media," he said.
• In response to a question about how mass deportations could impact a state like North Carolina, Vance said he "rejected the idea that the only way to have a productive farm economy is to allow 25 million illegal aliens into this country."