Nick Erickson
@nserickson.bsky.social
Executive Director, Housing Affordability Institute
Sr. Director of Housing Policy, Housing First Minnesota
Bring Back New Starter Homes
Sr. Director of Housing Policy, Housing First Minnesota
Bring Back New Starter Homes
"The problem with housing is that there isn’t enough of it. Government shouldn’t care who buys it. It should be looking for ways to make it easier to build more of it, which will mean getting out of the way."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
January 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM
"The problem with housing is that there isn’t enough of it. Government shouldn’t care who buys it. It should be looking for ways to make it easier to build more of it, which will mean getting out of the way."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Single-family permits, the main source of homeownership opportunities, are down YoY. The lack of housing supply remains the most pressing challenge facing policymakers and aspiring homebuyers. Supply-side solutions must remain the focus of policymakers at all levels of government.
Reaction: Housing Permits and Starts Climbed in September, Dipped in October
www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org/oct-2025-bps/
www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org/oct-2025-bps/
January 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Single-family permits, the main source of homeownership opportunities, are down YoY. The lack of housing supply remains the most pressing challenge facing policymakers and aspiring homebuyers. Supply-side solutions must remain the focus of policymakers at all levels of government.
Let's look at MSP:
#14 for single-family home prices, +2% YoY (+.3% US Average)
#9 Multi-fam rent, +3.7% (+1.5% US Average)
Pricing out families is not MN exceptionalism
#14 for single-family home prices, +2% YoY (+.3% US Average)
#9 Multi-fam rent, +3.7% (+1.5% US Average)
Pricing out families is not MN exceptionalism
January 8, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Let's look at MSP:
#14 for single-family home prices, +2% YoY (+.3% US Average)
#9 Multi-fam rent, +3.7% (+1.5% US Average)
Pricing out families is not MN exceptionalism
#14 for single-family home prices, +2% YoY (+.3% US Average)
#9 Multi-fam rent, +3.7% (+1.5% US Average)
Pricing out families is not MN exceptionalism
If you are wondering what single-family rental ownership looks in MN and the Twin Cities, AEI reports we are far below the national averages across the board.
Not only will this not move the needle across the U.S., but its impact will be even less locally.
Not only will this not move the needle across the U.S., but its impact will be even less locally.
January 8, 2026 at 1:46 PM
If you are wondering what single-family rental ownership looks in MN and the Twin Cities, AEI reports we are far below the national averages across the board.
Not only will this not move the needle across the U.S., but its impact will be even less locally.
Not only will this not move the needle across the U.S., but its impact will be even less locally.
Worth Repeating
"Scapegoating investors may be politically satisfying, as is often the case. It also distracts from the actual binding constraint: America doesn’t build enough homes, people!"
www.aei.org/economics/am...
www.aei.org/economics/am...
www.aei.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Worth Repeating
Single-stair multifamily codes trend as states lean into affordability
www.housingwire.com/articles/sin...
www.housingwire.com/articles/sin...
Single-stair multifamily codes trend as states lean into affordability
Single-stair building code reforms are spreading as states and cities seek more small multifamily housing while maintaining fire safety.
www.housingwire.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Single-stair multifamily codes trend as states lean into affordability
www.housingwire.com/articles/sin...
www.housingwire.com/articles/sin...
"Twin Cities homebuilding drops sharply in 2025"
Reminder, status quo policies harm homeownership.
finance-commerce.com/2026/01/twin...
Reminder, status quo policies harm homeownership.
finance-commerce.com/2026/01/twin...
Twin Cities homebuilding drops sharply in 2025
Twin Cities homebuilding slowed in 2025 as single-family and multifamily permits fell sharply, while residential remodeling activity surged across the metro.
finance-commerce.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
"Twin Cities homebuilding drops sharply in 2025"
Reminder, status quo policies harm homeownership.
finance-commerce.com/2026/01/twin...
Reminder, status quo policies harm homeownership.
finance-commerce.com/2026/01/twin...
Powell sounds alarm on housing crisis - And yes, the problem is structural - it only took the Fed far too many years to realize this.
www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
MSN
www.msn.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Powell sounds alarm on housing crisis - And yes, the problem is structural - it only took the Fed far too many years to realize this.
www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
The Cause?
"Many different factors can contribute to local housing shortages, including population growth, slow building, restrictive zoning laws, and high construction or labor costs."
"Many different factors can contribute to local housing shortages, including population growth, slow building, restrictive zoning laws, and high construction or labor costs."
January 6, 2026 at 3:25 PM
The Cause?
"Many different factors can contribute to local housing shortages, including population growth, slow building, restrictive zoning laws, and high construction or labor costs."
"Many different factors can contribute to local housing shortages, including population growth, slow building, restrictive zoning laws, and high construction or labor costs."
Reposted by Nick Erickson
"Still, the moderate increase in for-sale housing inventory won’t be enough to make up for the 3 million to 4 million additional homes that Goldman Sachs said were needed to bring the housing market into balance."
www.investopedia.com/the-2025-hou...
www.investopedia.com/the-2025-hou...
The 2025 Housing Affordability Crisis in Charts: What Changed and What Didn't
Housing affordability remained tight in 2025, with high prices and mortgage rates limiting buyers, while experts expect only gradual relief starting in 2026.
www.investopedia.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
"Still, the moderate increase in for-sale housing inventory won’t be enough to make up for the 3 million to 4 million additional homes that Goldman Sachs said were needed to bring the housing market into balance."
www.investopedia.com/the-2025-hou...
www.investopedia.com/the-2025-hou...
Minnesota single stair review shows taller buildings possible with code changes
housingindustrynews.org/exclusive-dr...
housingindustrynews.org/exclusive-dr...
Exclusive: Minnesota single stair review shows taller buildings possible with code changes
A new draft report commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) concludes that single-stair multifamily buildings could be constructed a
housingindustrynews.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Minnesota single stair review shows taller buildings possible with code changes
housingindustrynews.org/exclusive-dr...
housingindustrynews.org/exclusive-dr...
"Scapegoating investors may be politically satisfying, as is often the case. It also distracts from the actual binding constraint: America doesn’t build enough homes, people!"
www.aei.org/economics/am...
www.aei.org/economics/am...
www.aei.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:35 PM
"Scapegoating investors may be politically satisfying, as is often the case. It also distracts from the actual binding constraint: America doesn’t build enough homes, people!"
www.aei.org/economics/am...
www.aei.org/economics/am...
Reform advocates: If you are working on bills this upcoming session in your state, let me know.
For the past several years, state legislatures have been ground zero for the housing reform discussion. Our 2026 state legislative tracking project is underway.
Follow along at www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org/housing-refo...
Follow along at www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org/housing-refo...
State Legislatures and Housing Reform 2026 Edition
Follow our State Legislatures and Housing Reform 2026 tracker to monitor state-level housing reforms this year.
www.housingaffordabilityinstitute.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Reform advocates: If you are working on bills this upcoming session in your state, let me know.
These States Made the Biggest Moves To Tackle the Housing Crisis in 2025 - Note: Minnesota was not one of them
As long as the status quo remains, we won't see improvement in affordability and inventory.
#mnleg
www.realtor.com/news/trends/...
As long as the status quo remains, we won't see improvement in affordability and inventory.
#mnleg
www.realtor.com/news/trends/...
www.realtor.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM
These States Made the Biggest Moves To Tackle the Housing Crisis in 2025 - Note: Minnesota was not one of them
As long as the status quo remains, we won't see improvement in affordability and inventory.
#mnleg
www.realtor.com/news/trends/...
As long as the status quo remains, we won't see improvement in affordability and inventory.
#mnleg
www.realtor.com/news/trends/...
Reposted by Nick Erickson
People mandates are expensive, wasteful, and a barrier to new homes. We need flexibility instead. Baltimore gets it.
To spur housing construction, Baltimore ends parking minimums
Opinion: Parking minimums are expensive and hamper new housing. A new law in Baltimore City is right to do away with them.
ggwash.org
December 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
People mandates are expensive, wasteful, and a barrier to new homes. We need flexibility instead. Baltimore gets it.
Reposted by Nick Erickson
Reposted by Nick Erickson
"The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge and the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable.
Great read on British Columbia's housing crisis.
jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
Great read on British Columbia's housing crisis.
jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
The Housing Crisis Is Solvable
British Columbia’s housing crisis is severe, but its root causes are familiar: exclusionary zoning, under-building, and chronic neglect of nonmarket housing. Economist Alex Hemingway’s proposals show ...
jacobin.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge and the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable.
Great read on British Columbia's housing crisis.
jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
Great read on British Columbia's housing crisis.
jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
Reminder from New Hampshire: Passing land use reforms is not a one-and-done effort.
newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/22/n...
newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/22/n...
December 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reminder from New Hampshire: Passing land use reforms is not a one-and-done effort.
newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/22/n...
newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/22/n...
Twin Cities real estate experts on how policy reforms have impacted inventory, affordability
www.housingwire.com/articles/twi...
www.housingwire.com/articles/twi...
Twin Cities housing affordability diverges under zoning, rent control
Minneapolis and St. Paul adopted contrasting housing policies, resulting in different rent, inventory and development trends.
www.housingwire.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Twin Cities real estate experts on how policy reforms have impacted inventory, affordability
www.housingwire.com/articles/twi...
www.housingwire.com/articles/twi...
Overcoming the law of supply and demand requires adding more supply.
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
A bulk of Minnesota’s housing market is slowing down
As first-time buyers sit on the sidelines, luxury homebuyers have been driving the market and edging up prices.
www.startribune.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Overcoming the law of supply and demand requires adding more supply.
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
Great list of cost-free reforms to address the housing shortage from Pew
☑️Admin Approvals
☑️Smaller lot starter homes
☑️Parking reform
☑️Admin Approvals
☑️Smaller lot starter homes
☑️Parking reform
December 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Great list of cost-free reforms to address the housing shortage from Pew
☑️Admin Approvals
☑️Smaller lot starter homes
☑️Parking reform
☑️Admin Approvals
☑️Smaller lot starter homes
☑️Parking reform
A bulk of Minnesota’s housing market is slowing down
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
A bulk of Minnesota’s housing market is slowing down
As first-time buyers sit on the sidelines, luxury homebuyers have been driving the market and edging up prices.
www.startribune.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A bulk of Minnesota’s housing market is slowing down
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
"With fewer options and rising prices, first-time buyers are clearly struggling, and sales of the least-expensive houses in the Twin Cities have been declining all year."
www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...
Homebuying, like many industries, is shaped like a pyramid.
The greatest number of buyers is at the base of the market.
A slowdown at the lower price points negatively impacts the greatest number of buyers, leaving those homes. unbuilt.
The greatest number of buyers is at the base of the market.
A slowdown at the lower price points negatively impacts the greatest number of buyers, leaving those homes. unbuilt.
“For us, the higher price point has done reasonably well this year, it's our lower price point that has been much slower. It seems like that consumer is more stretched, more strained,” Mitchell said.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Home builders are feeling slightly better headed into 2026
The latest survey from the National Association of Home Builders showed confidence ticked up in December, but two-thirds said they’ve had to offer incentives lately to get buyers to commit.
www.marketplace.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Homebuying, like many industries, is shaped like a pyramid.
The greatest number of buyers is at the base of the market.
A slowdown at the lower price points negatively impacts the greatest number of buyers, leaving those homes. unbuilt.
The greatest number of buyers is at the base of the market.
A slowdown at the lower price points negatively impacts the greatest number of buyers, leaving those homes. unbuilt.