Rents
More Evidence That New Housing Lowers Rents (Maybe)
Even if new housing reduces rents regionwide, scholars are divided as to when and whether new market-rate apartments reduce rents in nearby blocks. A new study seeks to answer this question.
Chicago's 606 Bike Path Made Gentrification Inevitable, Expert Claims
Because the rails to trails project left housing up to the market, rising rents were inevitable, claims a new report.
Is Residual Income a Better Metric for Housing Affordability?
The common metric for measuring housing affordability—whether households pay more than 30 percent of their income on shelter—has its downsides. Looking at residual income offers more precision in some respects.
California REITS Have Much at Stake on Election Day
One of the most controversial measures on the November 6 ballot in California is Prop. 10: the repeal of the landmark Costa-Hawkins Act that places limits on rent control. Real estate investment trusts are donating big time to defeat it.
Construction Versus Conservation: A Local Case Study
In Washington D.C., ZIP code 20003 is split into two distinct areas: fiercely preserved Capitol Hill and the construction-heavy Capitol Riverfront. But where are rents skyrocketing, and what factors go into that equation?
Rent Dropping in Portland
The market is working, according to City Observatory's take on data finding declining rents in the city of Portland.
Report: Multi-Family Construction Outpacing Demand in Some Parts of the Country
A report on multi-family construction around the country explains why the rent is rising so slowly in the Dallas area despite large employment gains.
Study: Unbundle Parking for the Most Effective Transportation Demand Management
A new study by Mobility Lab makes a strong case for unbundling parking from rent to inspire more sustainable transportation choices.
Report: Wages Falling Short of Rent in Every Corner of the Country
The size of the gap between wages and the cost of rent is growing, and spreading. For renters, every corner of the country's housing market is in crisis.
Evidence of Softening Rental Markets
According to Joe Cortright, a slowing pace of rent inflation in most large cities in the United States, combined with decreasing rents in many cities, shows how adding supply can help balance the market.
Rising Rents, Stagnant Economy
Since the 1970s, many American cities have played host to rising rents and stagnant incomes. Richard Florida writes about how the "great rent squeeze" might be choking the country's economic prospects.
Seattle Sees Persistent Demand for Apartments
Data from a 2015 study of Seattle housing shows demand for apartment is robust and likely to stay that way.
Some Big Cities See Shrinking Rents
Even as rents continue to rise nationally, some of the most expensive cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and New York have seen rents fall this year.
Study Finds California's Economy Slowed by Lack of Housing
Reports from UCLA and UC Riverside show California stymied by housing shortage.
Is Supply Finally Coming to Rescue the Rental Market?
The relief that renters have been seeking might finally be on the way, if several market indicators are to be believed. If and when rent does fall, supply might have finally caught up with demand.
Making Sense of Median Rent Statistics
Amid the ubiquitous, and inconsistent, reportage on rising rents and housing prices, a guide from City Observatory helps point readers toward the most accurate numbers.
Denver Rents Falling—Analysts Credit New Supply
Denver just joined Seattle in an exclusive club: high demand cities with flattening or falling rents.
Portland Renter Protection Rules Backfire in Raised Rents
Rents continue to rise in Portland, and new rules have precipitated even more raised rents for populations that can least afford the new costs.
When Discussing Median Rents, Let's Make Sure We Have All the Data
Reports about the median rents rising or falling in a community garner a lot of attention, but it's a good idea to understand where the data is coming from.
Are Foreigners to Blame for High Housing Prices?
One common argument against allowing new housing in popular cities is that as long as rich foreigners use up the housing supply prices will never go down.
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