The number of renters with housing cost burdens reached another record high in 2024, with nearly half of renter households spending more than a third of their income on housing. More recently, rents for new leases show modest declines and vacancy rates are ticking up as new demand softens. In this shifting landscape, the pace of multifamily construction—while still elevated—is cooling amid tough economic headwinds. However, as rents continue to cut into lower-income renters’ budgets, reductions in federal safety net programs are forcing state and local governments to stretch limited funds to fill the gaps. Meanwhile, the nation’s aging rental stock also faces growing investment needs that threaten access to safe, affordable homes.

Learn more at: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4j3vOhXkQFKkSWsyeUEHMg?utm_source=JCHS+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=59e9186400-America_s_Rental_Housing_2026_release_ev2_25_2026_&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4d133ff35d-59e9186400-126611524#/registration