New survey of mayors shows most are concerned about lack of affordable housing

January 22, 2018                       By: Katie Zezima

Many of the nation’s mayors are concerned about the price of housing and the ability of residents to afford living in their cities, according to a survey of more than 100 mayors from across the country.

More than half of the mayors who responded to the annual Menino Survey of Mayors said that high housing costs are the main reason that people are moving out of their cities, the leading cause above concerns about jobs, schools and public safety. Just 13 percent of mayors said they believe their city’s housing stock meets the needs of local residents. Even in the least-expensive housing markets, fewer than one in five of those mayors said the housing stock is well-suited to residents.

The Chicago skyline, in October. Mayors of numerous cities across the country said affordable housing is a major issue, one that is causing people to leave. (REUTERS/John Gress)

The annual survey, conducted by the Boston University Initiative on Cities, garnered responses from mayors of 115 cities nationwide, representing about 25 percent of the nation’s cities with more than 75,000 people. Experts said the housing crunch is affecting cities of all types.....................Read More