Columbus Leads U.S. Cities in Apartment Construction, Potentially Easing Rent Burdens
Columbus, Ohio, is experiencing a significant increase in multifamily housing permits, marking the highest rate since 2019. This surge is attributed to density-friendly zoning reforms, which are expected to add thousands of new homes, potentially making the rental market more affordable. Other cities like Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Birmingham, Alabama, are also seeing similar trends, according to a July Realtor.com Renter Report. Despite a national trend of slow construction and high costs, these cities are bucking the trend, with overall U.S. multifamily approvals still 13.1% lower than five years ago. The increase in housing supply is seen as a way to meet demand and drive down costs for renters, although it is not a complete solution to the affordability crisis.