There’s a Childcare Desert Problem in Rural America and Developers Have the Solution
Rural America faces a critical shortage of accessible, affordable child care, creating “child care deserts,” which strain families and communities alike. The crisis also presents, however, an opportunity—one that developers, and policymakers can leverage to drive economic growth in underserved areas.
What challenges do rural areas face?
America’s child care crisis is deeply intertwined with other systemic challenges, particularly food and healthcare deserts. Many of the rural and underserved urban areas experiencing a lack of affordable child care also struggle with limited access to nutritious food and adequate healthcare services. This overlap creates a vicious cycle where families face compounding barriers to stability and economic opportunity.