Office-to-housing conversion initiatives proliferate in California

State policymakers have been pursuing policy changes that remove barriers to converting older commercial buildings into housing, with mixed success.

By Keith Loria • March 20, 2026

Universities are the structural lever America’s housing policy is missing

Aligning university land, patient capital and federal incentives with the regulatory progress already underway can unlock housing supply in markets that need it most, writes one expert.

By Josh Parker • March 19, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Rent Trends

High supply, absorption, concessions and more are top of mind for rental owners and operators across the country.

By Multifamily Dive staff

How housing policy reform drove down rents in Austin, Texas

Removing regulatory barriers and subsidizing affordable housing helped clear the way for 120,000 new homes in the city between 2015 and 2024, according to Pew.

By Ryan Kushner • March 19, 2026

Multifamily rents flat in February

Economic trends signal softness heading into the spring leasing season and raise the possibility that 2026 could be a weak year for rent growth, per a new report from Yardi Matrix.

By Julie Strupp • March 16, 2026

What’s happened so far in 2026 with housing policy

The Senate is mulling a major bipartisan housing package, while HUD has been busy overhauling its regulations.

By Julie Strupp • March 5, 2026

Pritzker proposes statewide zoning standards to boost housing in Illinois

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker targeted local housing regulations in his State of the State this week, unveiling a path for more “missing middle” development.

By Ryan Kushner • Feb. 25, 2026

Immigration raids are hitting multifamily operators. Here’s how they’re responding.

Managers report negative occupancy impacts from ICE in states like Florida and Texas, which could be the “straw that breaks the camel's back” for class C properties, according to one expert.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 24, 2026

29th Street Capital buys 1,225-unit Washington, DC-area multifamily portfolio

The firm acquired three class A properties in Prince George’s County, Maryland, as it bets on a metro area hit by federal job cuts.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 20, 2026

Student housing preleasing off to strong start, while rents decline: Yardi

The deceleration in rent growth has been pronounced across major student housing markets, a new 2026–2027 academic year report shows.

By Julie Strupp • Feb. 20, 2026

Centerspace CEO says ‘a little early’ to tell if strategic review will change REIT’s 2026 strategy

The Minneapolis-based multifamily firm saw net operating income grow 3.5% year over year, driven by 2.4% revenue growth in 2025.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 18, 2026

Are older renters driving higher apartment renewal rates?

As residents age, they’re less likely to want to deal with the cost and hassle of moving, according to multifamily pros.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 17, 2026

Apartment REITs face uncertainty in 2026

Income will still be challenging for multifamily's biggest public companies, as Camden and UDR plan major sales.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 13, 2026

How Jonathan Rose Cos. plans affordable housing projects

The mission-based multifamily developer recently tapped Brandon Kearse to help expand its portfolio in high-opportunity areas.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 13, 2026

Northern California strength, lower concessions drive positive Q4 for Essex

The California-based REIT saw revenue, expenses and NOI all increase in the fourth quarter, per its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings report.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 11, 2026

AvalonBay expects 2026 growth amid tighter multifamily supply

The Arlington, Virginia-based REIT is bullish on build-to-rent development, executives said on the fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings call.

By Julie Strupp • Feb. 6, 2026

MAA says concessions in the 5-week range on Q4 earnings call

The REIT’s executives think declining supply and continued strong demand will provide a boost as 2026 progresses.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 5, 2026

6 California housing moves to follow in 2026

So far this year, a statewide rent control measure has failed, but lawmakers are pushing forward with a $10 billion affordable housing bond.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 30, 2026

What multifamily leaders need to watch in 2026

Apartment pros are eyeing declining supply, accessible capital and more distressed properties on the market as they position themselves for opportunities this year.

By Multifamily Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026

MAA settles RealPage suit for $53M

The multifamily landlord and dozens of peer firms were accused of antitrust behavior related to use of the rent-setting software.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 29, 2026

US ‘will not become a nation of renters’: Trump

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the president discussed his executive order restricting institutional investors from buying single-family homes.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 21, 2026

3 reasons multifamily development should be easier in 2026

Capital should be more attainable, and costs should go down this year, but getting projects off the ground will still be a heavy lift.

By Leslie Shaver • Jan. 21, 2026

Multifamily rents ended 2025 without growth: Yardi

Apartment rent prices fell in the fourth quarter, wiping out gains made in the first half of the year.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 16, 2026

Affirm to offer BNPL for rent

The buy now, pay later player is one of the first to offer pay later installment financing for tenants paying their monthly rent.

By Patrick Cooley • Jan. 16, 2026

What to expect from multifamily rent prices in 2026

A slowdown in apartment project deliveries could raise rent prices and affect lower-delivery markets like the Northeast and Midwest sooner.

By Julie Strupp • Updated Jan. 15, 2026

New York AG wants RealPage lawsuit tossed

The real estate software company asked for a preliminary injunction in November in an attempt to halt the state’s recent ban on rent pricing algorithms.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 13, 2026