The homeownership rate fell to 65.1 percent in 2010, making the recent housing bust the worst since the Great Depression, according to the Associated Press. Analysts say the U.S. could never return to its housing peak due to tighter credit, prolonged job losses and reduced government involvement. What's more, the homeownership gap between whites and blacks is now at its widest since 1960, wiping out more than 40 years of gains. "The changes now taking place are mind-boggling: the housing market has completely crashed and attitudes toward housing are shifting from owning to renting," Patrick Newport, economist with IHS Global Insight, told the AP. "While 10 years ago owning a home was the American Dream, I'm not sure a lot of people still think that way."
