Survey: Mayors Express Growing Concern on Housing Costs – NMP
Industry News

Survey: Mayors Express Growing Concern on Housing Costs

Jan 24, 2018
Twenty-six percent of prospective homebuyers were scoping out other metro areas beyond their home base during the third quarter, according to new data from Redfin

A newly released survey of the mayors of the nation’s major cities has concluded that housing is the main reason why residents move away to other localities.
 
The Menino Survey of Mayors, conducted by the Boston University Initiative on Cities, sought the input of the mayors in 467 cities with a population of at least 75,000. The report fielded responses from 115 mayors, with Democrats as 65 percent of the respondents and Republicans as 22 percent; 40 percent of the respondents represented West Coast cities.
 
According to mayors, housing costs were the main reason for people moving out of their cities, followed by jobs and schools. Thirty-five percent of the mayors said that zoning and development issues had the biggest impact on voters’ approval ratings. But only 13 percent said the housing stock fit “very well” or “extremely well,” with inventory shortages being most dramatic in the western cities.
 
The most commonly cited obstacles to improving housing access included a lack of government funding for affordable housing options, the challenges that residents endured in obtaining bank financing or a lease, and the costs of upgrading existing housing stock.
 
“Mayors, perhaps now more than ever, are being called to serve as agents of both local and global change,” the report stated. “They have a greater role in forming and promulgating important social and economic policies than at any other time in modern American history. The job of mayor is not for the faint of heart.”
 
About the author
Phil Hall
Link copied
Published
Jan 24, 2018
Get the NMP Daily
Courts
UWM Seeks More Than $500M From Two Harbors After Failed Deal

Lender alleges Two Harbors undermined their merger and steered the company toward CrossCountry, turning a costly acquisition failure into a federal court fight

The fight over Two Harbors Investment Corp. did not end when shareholders approved its sale to CrossCountry Mortgage.Now United Wholesale Mortgage wants damages.UWM Holdings Corp. and UWM Acquisitions 1 LLC sued Two Harbors in federal court Monday, seeking more than $500 mil...

Continue reading
Wholesale
UWM Offers LOs 90-Bps Incentive On One Agency Loan

Bullseye 90 can be applied to a conventional or government purchase or refinance loan through Sept. 8

United Wholesale Mortgage is giving each loan originator a one-time, 90-basis-point pricing incentive to use on a qualifying agency loan.The wholesaler’s new Bullseye 90 program applies to new locks from Aug. 5 through Sept. 8 on conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA purchase and ...

Continue reading
Renew your NMLS License — for free.

Enjoy access to a free NMLS renewal class when you attend an in-person event.

Find an event
More from
Industry News
The Fed Held. The Mortgage Market Got A Warning.

Three policymakers favored an immediate hike, while Warsh welcomed higher bond yields and offered no clear path toward mortgage-rate relief

Industry News
Jul 30, 2026
New Study Finds UWM's 'All-In' Triggered Industrywide Pricing Spillovers

Research shows wholesale competitors responded to the 2021 Rocket ban by lowering mortgage rates,

Industry News
Jul 15, 2026
First Major Housing Reform In Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature

Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act advances supply, construction, and mortgage reforms despite White House protest

Industry News
Jul 10, 2026
Mortgage Star Conference Honors Women Shaping The Future Of Mortgage Leadership

MWLC honors leaders driving innovation, mentorship, and growth across the mortgage industry

Industry News
Jul 09, 2026
June Jobs Report Improves Mortgage Rate Outlook

Slower hiring strengthens bonds and eases concerns over additional Fed tightening

Industry News
Jul 02, 2026
NEXA Founder Mike Kortas Launches evoLend To Help Originators Retain Borrowers

New Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac- and Ginnie Mae-approved mortgage servicer aims to keep originators connected to borrowers through servicing data, payoff visibility and retention tools

Industry News
Jul 02, 2026