With funding from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 22 students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) will help public and nonprofit entities across the US address housing-related challenges this summer.
Annual expenditures for improvements and maintenance to owner-occupied homes are expected to grow modestly through 2026, according to our latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA).
The US remodeling market soared above $600 billion in the wake of the pandemic and, despite recent softening, remains 50 percent above pre-pandemic levels. However, industry fragmentation, inflation, and a shortage of skilled trade labor jeopardize the ability of the industry to fully meet demand.
After two years of decline, annual expenditures for improvements and maintenance to owner-occupied homes are expected to grow at a mild pace throughout 2025.
After a mild pullback over the previous year, spending for improvements and repairs on owner-occupied homes is set to expand once again by the middle of next year.
With funding from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 19 students from across Harvard will work on issues related to housing and community development this summer.
