Today in Multifamily Housing - July 9, 2025

Episode Description:

Welcome to Today in Multifamily Housing for Wednesday, July 9th, 2025. Join hosts Alex and Ben as they dive deep into a multifamily market in motion, exploring how supply dynamics are reshaping rental landscapes across the country.

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What We Cover:

🏢 Oklahoma Market Stabilization - How a massive wave of new construction is finally delivering the rent stability renters have been waiting for. Oklahoma City's median rent holds at $900 (down 1% year-over-year) while Tulsa sees similar trends, driven by nearly 7,000 new apartments delivered since 2023.

🏛️ Massachusetts Political Showdown - The town of Marblehead votes to overturn multifamily zoning, creating a direct challenge to the state's MBTA Communities Act. We explore the core tension between state authority and local control in housing policy.

🌺 Honolulu Transformation - After 20 years of vacancy, the city begins demolition of the infamous 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard eyesore in Waikīkī to make way for new affordable housing — a powerful example of urban renewal.

🏔️ Montana Development Focus - The 162-unit Highmark project near Montana State University highlights both the strength of university markets and the growing impact of Qualified Opportunity Zones in housing development.

Key Insights:

• Sun Belt markets showing signs of rebalancing as supply catches up with demand
• The economics of rent stabilization vs. falling occupancy rates
• How federal policy incentivizes new housing through tax programs
• The ongoing battle between regional housing needs and local resistance

Thought-Provoking Question: When rents stabilize due to new supply but occupancy rates fall, who wins? The renter getting price relief, or the market finding sustainable equilibrium? And when does falling occupancy threaten future development?

Duration: 6 minutes 43 seconds
Hosts: Alex and Ben
Date: July 9, 2025

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