Missing Middle Construction Still Missing

The missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, including townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties. While townhouse construction has trended higher in recent quarters, the multifamily segment of the missing middle (apartments in 2 to 4 unit properties) has disappointed. For 2021, there were only 12,000 starts of such residences. This is flat from…

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Multifamily Production Index Turns Downward in the First Quarter

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing turned downward in the first quarter of 2022, according to the latest results from NAHB’s Multifamily Market Survey (MMS).  The MMS produces two main indices.  The survey’s Multifamily Production Index (MPI) decreased six points to 48 in the first quarter, dipping below the break-even mark of 50…

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Strong Gains for Single-Family Built-for-Rent

The single-family built-for-rent sector continues to expand as housing affordability headwinds increase. According to NAHB’s analysis of data from the Census Bureau’s Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, there were approximately 13,000 single-family built-for-rent (SFBFR) starts during the first quarter of 2022. This is a 62.5% gain over the first quarter 2021 total. Over…

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