Study Says 47 of 50 States, 169 Metro Areas Have Housing Shortage

A new study suggests that nearly every U.S. state and 55% of the 309 U.S. metro areas have housing shortages.

The study from Up for Growth points to a "housing crisis," and says that "the demand for housing in our most economically productive regions far exceeds the production of new homes." It says the U.S. is "3.8 million homes short of meeting housing needs, double the number from 2012." The worst states for housing availability are California (978k fewer homes than needed), Texas (322k) and Florida (289k). The worst metro areas are Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA (11% under necessary production), Laredo, TX (10%) and Gainesville, GA (10%).

Reports across the political spectrum suggests that demand for new housing remains high while supply is low, which typically leads to higher prices for buyers and renters alike. A June analysis from Redfin says the median U.S. home price is up 11.2% from last year, at more than $428,000.   

The study was covered by sources across the political spectrum, especially ones on the left and in the center. Many focused on how the shortage impacts lower-income communities, and on stories of individuals who've struggled to find and maintain housing in recent years. Some right-rated sources focused specifically on California's housing shortage and how its homelessness rate is the nation's highest.