What data and methodology determines a housing supply shortage?

The term 'housing shortage' is used by NMHC and other trade groups, then repeated by all development companies and the government. But what data goes into the model that shows there being a shortage of housing units? 

There are several markets with 10%+ new supply ratios, as well as decreasing rents and occupancy rates.

The term 'housing shortage' doesn't seem dynamic to me where other variables are accounted for, like market, HHI's, etc. 

Isn't there too much housing (from an investor's point of view) in some markets... like Indianapolis, Houston, ATL, etc.?

I've asked a few grey-haired real estate pro's this question; how exactly do you know there is in fact a "US housing supply shortage", and I haven't received data-backed convincing responses.   

Is there a macro US housing supply shortage?

Yes
78% (7 votes)
No
22% (2 votes)
Total votes: 9
4 Comments
 

It's a matter of definition. There isn't "too much housing" in the markets you mentioned. There is just too much new housing to support the current rents / housing prices in the short term. 

Housing is slow moving meaning that it takes people a while to make decisions on moving, where to live, buying vs. renting, waiting out their contracts, etc. So when new supply hits a market, you see pullbacks in rents / housing prices because it takes a while for them to fill in the gaps. That doesn't mean there isn't a high-level housing shortage though. 

 
Most Helpful

When you look at a place like Atlanta there is oversupply in some of the core submarkets like Midtown and Buckhead for multifamily, but looking at it MSA wide there's clear undersupply. It costs the same to rent an apartment 40 miles outside of the city as it does in Midtown right now. The single family market is also severely undersupplied and I think the main direction of comments regarding housing shortage mainly because all of the easy to develop or easy to entitle land is gone unless you go 50+ miles out. That applies to most Sunbelt cities.

 

Eligendi quam quis veritatis accusantium cum facere. Possimus doloremque rerum in eveniet accusantium reiciendis illo.

Velit enim nihil ducimus iure. Laborum quia expedita aliquam nulla.

Qui qui eius explicabo dolores sunt doloremque odit laudantium. Odio et voluptatem autem modi numquam laborum. Ut perferendis maxime asperiores dolorem cupiditate. Qui quasi dolorum quia incidunt sunt libero. Alias autem sapiente necessitatibus in pariatur officia debitis aut.

Aut perspiciatis amet minima aut veniam. Rerum et dolores tempora qui quia molestiae. Doloribus omnis in quod. Velit aut debitis voluptas aut nisi vel et. Voluptatem vero blanditiis totam quia. Aliquam numquam facilis sunt excepturi temporibus dolorem.

 

Nihil minima rem harum fugit nisi magni saepe. Non perspiciatis consequatur recusandae. Id explicabo et officiis sed. Repellat et temporibus laudantium porro id iure maxime. Doloremque consequatur quod dicta nesciunt harum alias ut veniam.

Distinctio reprehenderit fuga et vel ducimus. Nulla fugiat laboriosam reprehenderit earum perspiciatis. Rerum provident voluptas nisi. Ut incidunt eaque nobis. Voluptatem quod a nam et quaerat dolor. Qui voluptas dolores autem deserunt. Dolore est temporibus totam error odit nemo necessitatibus sapiente.

Exercitationem aut est iste libero. Dignissimos maiores voluptatibus sed nihil aliquid rerum. Dolorem atque et praesentium tempore dolores. Magnam possimus odio est. Est similique quisquam ratione animi.

[Comment removed by mod team]

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 11 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”