North Carolina Construction News
As apartment construction continues at a record pace across the Triangle, a new study shows the record numbers of new builds would be needed annually for more than ten years to meet expected demand for units.
According to a new study commissioned by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA), Raleigh has the ninth largest shortage of apartments in the nation right now. It goes on to say 45,000 more apartments need to be built by 2035 to match growth.
The latest market report from CoStar shows 3,994 new units were built in the last year and more than 12,500 under construction.
Nationally, the U.S. faces a pressing need to build 4.3 million new apartments by 2035, the study concludes.
“The lack of available housing is holding our country back. Whether it is a multifamily residence, duplex or single-family home, we need a massive supply of new for sale and rental homes—including millions of new apartments by 2035,” said NMHC President and CEO Doug Bibby.
“Making sure everyone has access to quality, affordable housing is a bipartisan issue, and the industry stands ready to do its part to help create the 4.3 million new apartment homes our country needs.”
Key findings:
- Shortage of 600,000 apartment homes. The 4.3 million apartment homes needed includes an existing 600,000 apartment home deficit because of underbuilding due in large part to the 2008 financial crisis.
- Loss of affordable units. The number of affordable units (those with rents less than $1,000 per month) declined by 4.7 million from 2015 to 2020.
- Homeownership. Apartment demand also factors in a projected 3.8% increase in the homeownership rate.
- Immigration. Immigration is a significant driver of apartment demand, and levels tapered before the pandemic and have remained low. A reversal of this trend would significantly increase apartment demand.
- Texas, Florida and California. These three states account for 40% of future demand and will require 1.5 million new apartments by 2035.
“The U.S. has undergone tremendously difficult conditions that have fundamentally altered our nation’s demographics, but one thing remains certain—there is a need and demand for more rental housing,” said NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar.
“Put simply, we do not have enough housing. The U.S. must build 3.7 million new apartments just to meet future demand, on top of a 600,000 unit deficit and loss of 4.7 million affordable apartment homes. It is time to reverse course after decades of underbuilding, and instead pursue responsible and sustainable policies that will not only meet this demand but address the missing middle and loss of affordable housing stock.”
In conjunction with the study’s release, the website www.WeAreApartments.org breaks down data by state and 50 key metro areas.