Washington, D.C. — A majority of U.S. mayors believe housing affordability in their cities will worsen over the next year according to a new survey of bipartisan mayors conducted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Capital One Insights Center. 

The survey includes responses from 68 cities in 30 states and the District of Columbia, representing a combined population of 20 million. The sentiment is far-reaching, spanning rural, suburban, and urban cities across political ideologies, with mayors from cities of all sizes expressing concern about affordability, and only two reporting that their residents are satisfied with the state of housing affordability.

While many mayors are pursuing local strategies to address this issue, they also pointed to broader economic conditions as a contributing factor. Two-thirds said national economic trends are worsening affordability in their communities. While economic pressures such as inflation and construction costs are a top concern, mayors are not standing still. The survey documents a wave of local innovation: mayors are advancing land use reforms, experimenting with new funding tools, and cultivating partnerships with developers and community-based organizations to support housing efforts.

Looking ahead, mayors identified several federal-level issues that could further strain their efforts. Most said changes to federal policy and programs would have a major or severe impact on their ability to address housing needs locally. 

“Mayors have been sounding the alarm on the housing crisis for years now,” said USCM President Columbus (OH) and Mayor Andrew Ginther. “Now is not the time to pull back investment; we need our federal leaders to join us in resolving this crisis once and for all. Mayors are leading but we need partners to solve a challenge this big. This affects everyone, and we will not stop fighting for solutions.”

The most common challenges mayors cite are the direct costs of housing development—materials, labor, and land—along with the ability to secure private or federal funding.

“Republican and Democratic mayors alike—from rural communities to major metropolitan areas—are advancing practical solutions to improve housing affordability,” said Dennis Shea, executive vice president for housing at the Bipartisan Policy Center. “This survey highlights the bipartisan momentum at the local level and the opportunity for government at all levels as well as the private sector to build on that progress together. With the ideas and leadership of the mayors, we’re optimistic about creating more affordable housing options and expanding opportunity for families across the country.”

Mayors are taking action: Two-thirds point to influencing local land use policies as an effective tool, and more than 90% use multiple housing programs to meet residents’ needs. A majority of mayors also reported they are anticipating more market-rate and affordable housing projects over the next 12 months. However, many expressed concern that outside factors—such as an economic downturn—could impact those projects.

“Nearly 80% of mayors identified public-private partnerships as a funding strategy to help sustain housing production and preservation,” said Dr. Shena Ashley, president of the Capital One Insights Center. “Solving the affordable housing shortage requires partnership, capital, and data and insights, and that’s where Capital One comes in. We are committed to being part of the solution by funding housing creation and preservation, wraparound services, community and infrastructure development, and propelling research and advocacy to make a meaningful difference in communities in all corners of the country.”

The survey’s findings include:

  • 51.5% of mayors believe that housing affordability in their city will worsen in the next year, with 11.8% expecting a significant decline.
  • 66.2% say the current economic environment will negatively impact housing affordability in their city, and 20.6% expect the impact to be significant. 
  • More than 94% report that their residents are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with housing affordability. Just 2.9% say their residents are satisfied.
  • 73.6% believe potential changes to federal housing program funding would have a major or severe impact on their city’s current housing efforts, while 61.7% say the same about changes to federal trade policy.
  • Mayors identified access to federal funding as the most difficult challenge to address.
  • Nearly 80% of mayors identified public-private partnerships as a funding strategy to help sustain housing production and preservation.

The full results of the survey can be found here.