Yardi Matrix has released its Q4 2023 Multifamily Supply Forecast, emphasizing a short-term spike and plateau of new construction. According to the report, Yardi finds that construction starts have remained "relatively robust" in the first half of 2023, with the under-construction pipeline increasing by 7.6% in Q3.
Because of this, new activity is starting to slow. The forecast for project completions has increased by 5.8% for 2024 and 6.2% for 2025. Completions for later years are forecasted to decrease by roughly 5 percent, according to Yardi.
Long-Term Multifamily Supply Forecast
"We continue to expect a mild recession will start in late 2023 or early 2024," the report states. Yardi's forecast for 2026 has therefore been reduced by 5.8% to 377,622 units, while the baseline forecast for 2027 and 2028 completions has been similarly reduced by 4.7% and 5.4% respectively.
For the multifamily markets monitored by Yardi Matrix, there are currently 1.2 million units within the under-construction pipeline. Of these units, just under 480,000 are in the lease-up phase, which is in line with the trailing six-month average of 483,000 units but represents a substantial 15.9% increase from the figures of the previous year. Most of these units are expected to be finalized either by the end of 2023 or during the first half of 2024.
What does this mean for 2024?
Though short-term construction starts remained elevated through the first half of 2023, several findings from the third quarter suggest that new development activity is slowing. The near flat growth recorded in Q3 is a sharp departure from the growth the planned pipeline recorded post pandemic—another sign that development interest is slowing, according to Yardi.
Overall, Yardi Matrix anticipates an uptick in construction completions in the next two years. Yardi's construction start data reached its year-over-year peak in May 2023. Both planned and prospective pipelines plateaued in Q3.
"Our baseline forecast envisions new supply bottoming in 2026 at around 377,000 units, while the alternative downside forecast models new supply bottoming in 2026 at 335,000 units," writes Ben Bruckner, Senior Research Analyst, Yardi Matrix.
Review the latest Multifamily Supply Forecast here.
Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email matrix@yardi.com, call 480-663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn more.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023
One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion
Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.
Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2023
Biden administration beefs up energy efficiency standards on new federally funded housing
The Biden Administration recently moved to require more stringent energy efficiency standards on federally funded housing projects. Developers building homes with taxpayer funds will have to construct to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2021 for low-density housing and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 90.1 for multi-family projects.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2023
Shear Wall Selection for Wood-Framed Buildings
From wall bracing to FTAO, there are many ways to secure the walls of a building. Learn how to evaluate which method is best for a project.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | May 17, 2023
The Key To Multifamily Access Control — Consistent Resident Experiences
Explore the challenges of multifamily access control and discover the key to consistent user experiences with a resident-first approach and open platforms.
Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023
Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties
Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023
Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier
Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Multifamily Housing | May 12, 2023
An industrial ‘eyesore’ is getting new life as an apartment complex
The project, in Metuchen, N.J., includes significant improvements to a nearby wildlife preserve.
Senior Living Design | May 8, 2023
Seattle senior living community aims to be world’s first to achieve Living Building Challenge designation
Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle is the world’s first assisted living community designed to meet the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification. Completed in 2022, the Ankrom Moisan-designed, 70,000 sf-building is fully electrified. All commercial dryers, domestic hot water, and kitchen equipment are powered by electricity in lieu of gas, which reduces the facility’s carbon footprint.
Multifamily Housing | May 8, 2023
The average multifamily rent was $1,709 in April 2023, up for the second straight month
Despite economic headwinds, the multifamily housing market continues to demonstrate resilience, according to a new Yardi Matrix report.
