Increase Housing Supply Softened Rent Increases in D.C., Study Says

A study recently published by the District of Columbia offers supporting evidence to a supply-side approach to housing affordability in high-demand markets.

1 minute read

April 22, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Apartment Construction

Chad Zuber / Shutterstock

Martin Austermuhle, a reporter for WAMU in D.C., tweeted information about a recent study [pdf] published by the District of Columbia Office and Revenue Analysis and Office of the Chief Financial Officer reporting potentially valuable findings on the connection between housing supply creation and rental price increases. 

The study, "finds that the building spree in the city from 2000 to 2018 minimized possible rent increases," explains Austermuhle. "Without all the new apartments that were built, rents would have been 5.84% higher."

The entire report is available to read in full [pdf], and the thread that follows below Austermuhle's original tweet provides more information and insight into the study's findings.


Tuesday, April 21, 2020 in District of Columbia Office of Revenue Analysis

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