Harvard Housing Report: Housing Market Still Short-Changing Renters, Young Americans

It's the 30th annual edition of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University's "State of the Nation's Housing" report.

1 minute read

June 20, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Tenderloin

EQRoy / Shutterstock

The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies released its 2018 "State of the Nation's Housing" report on Tuesday, continuing an annual event first launched in 1988. A website announcing the new report relates some of the findings from the 2018 to the findings of the 1988 report. For instance, homeownership rates among young adults are lower in 1988 than they were in 1988, and a larger share of renters is cost burdened now than in 1988. The report pins the blame for those realities on the soaring cost of housing.

Despite the declining homeownership rate among young Americans, the overall homeownership rate increased in 2017 for the first time in 13 years. Another key finding of the report is ongoing changes to the demographics of households in the county. Aging baby boomers means an aging household, on average. A final point to mention here is the report's finding that multi-family residential construction has leveled off, potentially placing more of the housing market at risk of housing cost burdens.

While you dig into the 2018 report, don't forget to reference the details of the 2017 report, which focused on the nation's dwindling affordable housing supply

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Joint Center for Housing Studies

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square