If we can avoid massive collective issues that would be appreciated as there is very little agency the individual has to address those and that helpless ess can often extend to the more solvable individual matters we all grapple with but also occasionally rise to conquer.
Buying a house
Unfortunately I think this is one you just gotta wait out. Eventually as the older population downsizes/ moves to assisted living/ dies, houses will become available.
Also, vote for governments that view housing as a human right and not an investment.
See if you qualify for any down payment assistance programs. Combined with an FHA loan, you could possibly get into a house with under $5k.