Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

1 minute read

July 11, 2025, 7:00 AM PDT

By Shelterforce


Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wirestock / Adobe Stock

Shelterforce checks in with housing researchers who are harnessing AI to process vast, disorganized data like eviction and housing cost records. The tools they used dramatically reduced manual labor, turning years-long tasks into work completed within days.

Projects at the RAND Corporation and the Urban Displacement Project have revealed key insights, including cost disparities between states and municipal fee impacts.

However, AI remains error-prone — misreading numbers, formats, or context — making human oversight essential. Ultimately, while AI shows promise for improving housing policy research at scale, clean data, careful review, and political commitment are still critical for meaningful change.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Shelterforce Magazine

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