Immigration Keeps Residential Housing Strong

Dramatic increases in immigration may be sustaining the residential real estate market.

1 minute read

December 2, 2002, 2:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


" Immigration seems to be playing a particularly strong role in the housing boom around major cities. Immigrant families tend to cluster in densely populated areas where jobs are plentiful. But a combination of limited developable space and tough zoning rules has prevented the supply of housing from keeping pace with job creation in big cities. "The lack of supply has put upward pressure on home prices nationwide," says John Lonski, senior economist at Moody's Investors Service.New York, Southern California, and South Florida have taken the largest share of new immigrants, but many more cities and their suburbs have experienced a rapidly growing housing market due to immigration, says Robert Reid, executive director of the National Housing Conference."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, November 27, 2002 in Business Week

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

View from back of woman and child walking on London street wearing warm clothes with a black cab visible in background.

Study: Large SUVs Double Risk of Death for Children Under 10

New research from the United Kingdom reveals the higher risk of larger vehicles for pedestrians and cyclists.

45 minutes ago - The Standard

Housing construction in Austin, Texas

Texas Bills Aim to Tackle Housing Affordability

One proposed bill would raise the threshold for neighbor opposition to new development.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

New York City Subway Platform

New York State Budget Includes $68B MTA Capital Plan, Boosts Transit Security

The state’s FY26 budget includes increased investment in transit security, mental health services, and fare evasion enforcement.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO