Read on Investopedia: What It Would Really Take To Make Housing Affordable in 2026

Investopedia, January 20, 2026

  • Goldman Sachs estimates the U.S. housing market is short 3 million to 4 million homes.
  • Home Builders Institute CEO Ed Brady said regulations account for nearly 25% of a single home’s cost, per an NAHB study, and that builders lack the workers to meet demand.
  • A June HBI/NAHB study found the labor shortage costs the housing market more than $10 billion and blocks 19,000 homes a year.
  • Cato’s Norbert Michel said bond purchases that ease mortgage access raise demand rather than affordability.
  • Goldman’s Arun Manohar noted institutional investors own less than 0.5% of total housing stock, so banning their purchases may do little.
Investopedia: What It Would Really Take To Make Housing Affordable in 2026