Small multifamily homes have historically provided inexpensive housing for renters and buyers, but developers have converted many of them in recent decades into larger, single-family units. This has worsened the affordable housing crisis, say researchers.
These buildings, commonly called “triple-deckers, two-flats, or brownstones,” provide historical context and add character to urban neighborhoods along with affordability. Nationwide, low-cost rentals have vanished by more than half a million units per year between 2014 and 2018, according to a report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS). New York City alone, lost more than 100,000 homes since 1950 due to conversions of multifamily buildings into single-family “mansions,” according to a report by Dwell.
Many of these buildings supply what is termed “naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH)”—unsubsidized units rented at relatively low rates. A 2021 McKinsey report found that NOAHs constitute the nation’s largest category of affordable housing units, and that has prompted legislative action to preserve them in some cities.
For instance, in 2021 Chicago’s city council passed two ordinances to discourage developers from eliminating NOAH in two neighborhoods. Developers face up to $15,000 (or $5,000 for each lost unit) for tearing down or converting multifamily buildings.
Preserving older NOAHs takes more than laws, though, it requires someone to spend money to keep them in working order. According to a recent JCHS report, the median unit in small multifamily structures was built 54 years ago. That’s nine years older than the typical single-family home. NOAHs also “face significantly higher quality and structural issues” than your average single-family house, the JCHS report says.
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Mar 12, 2024
Multifamily housing starts and permitting activity drop 10% year-over-year
The past year saw over 1.4 million new homes added to the national housing inventory. Despite the 4% growth in units, both the number of new homes under construction and the number of permits dropped year-over-year.
MFPRO+ Special Reports | Mar 6, 2024
Top 10 trends in senior living facilities for 2024
The 65-and-over population is growing faster than any other age group. Architects, engineers, and contractors are coming up with creative senior housing solutions to better serve this burgeoning cohort.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 4, 2024
Single-family rentals continue to grow in BTR communities
Single-family rentals are continuing to grow in built-to-rent communities. Both rent and occupancy growth have been strong in recent months while remaining a financially viable option for renters.
MFPRO+ News | Mar 1, 2024
Housing affordability, speed of construction are top of mind for multifamily architecture and construction firms
The 2023 Multifamily Giants get creative to solve the affordability crisis, while helping their developer clients build faster and more economically.
MFPRO+ Research | Feb 28, 2024
New download: BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Amenities report
New research from Building Design+Construction and Multifamily Pro+ highlights the 127 top amenities that developers, property owners, architects, contractors, and builders are providing in today’s apartment, condominium, student housing, and senior living communities.
MFPRO+ Research | Feb 27, 2024
Most competitive rental markets of early 2024
The U.S. rental market in early 2024 is moderately competitive, with apartments taking an average of 41 days to find tenants, according to the latest RentCafe Market Competitivity Report.
Student Housing | Feb 21, 2024
Student housing preleasing continues to grow at record pace
Student housing preleasing continues to be robust even as rent growth has decelerated, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Student Housing Report.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 14, 2024
Multifamily rent remains flat at $1,710 in January
The multifamily market was stable at the start of 2024, despite the pressure of a supply boom in some markets, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report.
Industry Research | Feb 8, 2024
New multifamily development in 2023 exceeded expectations
Despite a problematic financing environment, 2023 multifamily construction starts held up “remarkably well” according to the latest Yardi Matrix report.
Industry Research | Jan 31, 2024
ASID identifies 11 design trends coming in 2024
The Trends Outlook Report by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the first of a three-part outlook series on interior design. This design trends report demonstrates the importance of connection and authenticity.
