H.E.L.P CDC

Now Available: The State of Reentry Housing Policy: A Partnership for Just Housing Convening Report

After decades of imprisoning people with punitive mandatory minimum sentences, lawmakers and criminal-legal system reform advocates began making progress in decarcerating prison inmates nationwide....

Down Payment Assistance Could Cut the Time to Save for a Home by a Year and a Half or More

Nationally, a 3.5% down payment boost allows a typical buyer to save for a 10% down payment 35% faster

Zillow: CPI Shelter Forecast, October 2026

Zillow forecasts 2.8% rent inflation, 3.3% OER inflation annually in October, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

The Rate Path Wildcard (October 2026 Housing Market Forecast)

The decline in existing home sales is forecasted to accelerate in the fourth quarter, as our moving average of newly pending existing home sales dropped

Hidden Costs of Homeownership Top $16.6K a Year as Insurance Climbs

The typical U.S. homeowner pays $16,566 a year, about $1,380 a month, for maintenance, property taxes and insurance on top of a mortgage payment.

Housing demand finds a new home in rentals, up 19.2% (September Rent Report)

As elevated borrowing costs push up a buyer’s monthly payment, more shoppers are choosing to rent.

Buyers: Results from the Consumer Housing Trends Report 2026

Repeat buyers are driving the market. 58% of buyers in 2026 were repeat buyers, up from 55% in 2025 and 50% in 2023. AI has entered the home search,

A $100K Income Unlocks 2.5 Times More of the Rental Market Than the Typical Renter

In affordable markets, that means a single-family home. In the most expensive, a one-bedroom apartment.

Winter Has Arrived Early in the Housing Market as Newly Pending Sales Fall 8.5% (Zillow September...

While the for-sale market is slowing, the rental market continues to show strength, with the biggest annual rent gain since April 2025

September 2026 Jobs Report: Labor demand continued to slow

U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September, while gains in August and July were revised down by a combined 60,000. The unemployment rate rose slightly

Events

NLIHC's 2027 Housing Policy Forum will take place March 2 to 3 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Register today!

Zillow: CPI Shelter Forecast, September 2026

Zillow forecasts 2.7% rent inflation, 3.1% OER inflation annually in September, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

In One-Third of Major Markets, New Homes Cost Less Per Square Foot Than Existing Homes

Sun Belt markets where building has boomed account for most of the markets where new construction offers the best value

Engaged Home Shoppers Rose 20% This Spring, a Sign of Pent-Up Demand

High-intent home shoppers outnumber listings 4.8 to 1, yet many of them remain sidelined by affordability pressures.

Rents up, Existing Home Sales Down, The Housing Recovery is Back on Pause for the Remainder of 2026...

Zillow’s existing home sales forecast points to a 3.5% decline in the fourth quarter, though sales are still expected to finish the year up 1.2%.

August 2026: Building permits declined while single-family completions fell to the lowest pace...

Single-family housing starts surged in August, but headwinds are rising

What the Fed's Rate Hike Means for Housing

Renting Is $1,066 Cheaper Per Month Than Buying and Investing It Pays Off (August Rent Report)

In all 50 of the largest U.S. metros, the typical rent is less than the typical monthly homebuyer payment — giving renters a monthly advantage they can turn into long-term wealth.

Zillow: CPI Shelter Forecast, August 2026

Zillow forecasts 2.8% rent inflation, 3.2% OER inflation annually in August, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Elevated Rates Slow Home Sales as Buyer Demand Softens (Zillow August Market Report)

Home sales fell 0.6% year over year in August, a deceleration from July's 6% annual gain, according to Zillow's August Market Report.  Newly pending