Related videos:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa are the cities in Florida where it is most difficult to buy or rent a home, according to a study that reveals a deficit of over 120,000 units in the state.
The portal Florida Politics reported that the Florida Policy Project, in collaboration with the DeVoe L. Moore Center at Florida State University and the Reason Foundation, unveiled a new model to measure housing scarcity, with the aim of providing accurate data to legislators and citizens in light of the growing housing crisis.
According to the analysis, Florida is facing a shortage of 55,000 single-family homes and more than 66,000 rental units.
This lack of supply increases demand and drives prices to levels that are unattainable for many families.
The study highlights Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale (Broward County), and Tampa (Hillsborough County) as the most affected areas.
In Tampa, there is a shortage of over 8,000 homes, in Miami-Dade around 7,000, and in Broward more than 10,000, both for purchase and for rent.
The report also identifies the main barriers contributing to the crisis: prolonged delays in construction permits, restrictive zoning policies, lack of flexibility for new housing types (such as duplexes or accessory units), and local political gridlock that hinders progress.
The delays in permits, the authors point out, can extend for months or even years, increasing the costs of projects from the outset.
This additional burden is passed on to buyers or tenants. Furthermore, many areas continue to prioritize low-density developments, which restricts the growth of the real estate market.
The model includes an interactive map available online, allowing residents and local authorities to explore the state of housing supply and demand in their communities, identify imbalances, and design informed public policies.
The former state senator Jeff Brandes, founder of the Florida Policy Project, stated that the purpose of the tool is "to empower citizens and elected officials to work on solutions that expand supply, reduce costs, and preserve the character of communities."
One of the most alarming findings of the study is that the maximum affordable price for a median-income family in Florida is $258,000, while the average price of homes for sale now exceeds $440,000.
To buy an average home, those families would need to increase their income by 50%.
"The market has become inaccessible for many families. If Florida wants to continue growing, housing affordability must be a priority," stated Adrian Moore, vice president of the Reason Foundation.
The serious housing deficit in Florida is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather the result of several factors that have accumulated in recent years.
Experts warn that high maintenance costs and insurance have drastically increased expenses for owners, as revealed by a study showing how monthly fees in the United States have skyrocketed, especially in the southern states where climate change and inflation hit hardest.
At the same time, the current administration's immigration policy has had collateral effects on the construction market. Various sources indicate that the measures implemented by Donald Trump are slowing down residential projects, due to the lack of labor and the reduction of the flow of foreign workers in the sector, which exacerbates the shortage of new affordable housing.
In an effort to mitigate the crisis, the state of Florida recently approved a new condominium law aimed at providing more flexibility to property owners and facilitating the adaptation of older buildings to safety and sustainability standards. The measure aims to encourage urban rehabilitation and alleviate pressure on the rental market.
On their part, the Miami-Dade county authorities are evaluating a reduction in property taxes as a way to alleviate the financial burden on residents, who are facing rising mortgages, ever-increasing insurance costs, and purchase prices that are out of reach for most middle-class households.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Housing Crisis in Florida
Which cities in Florida have been most affected by the housing crisis?
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa are the cities in Florida where it is most difficult to buy or rent a home, according to a study that indicates a deficit of over 120,000 units in the state.
What factors contribute to the housing shortage in Florida?
The study identifies several barriers that contribute to the housing crisis in Florida: prolonged delays in construction permits, restrictive zoning policies, and a lack of flexibility for new forms of housing, such as duplexes or accessory units. Additionally, local political gridlock hinders significant progress.
What is the maximum affordable price for a middle-income family in Florida?
For a middle-income family in Florida, the maximum affordable price for a home is 258,000 dollars, while the average price of homes for sale already exceeds 440,000 dollars.
What measures are being proposed to alleviate the housing crisis in Florida?
The Florida Policy Project has developed a model that includes an interactive map for residents and local authorities to assess the supply and demand of housing in their communities. This tool aims to empower citizens and officials to collaboratively work on solutions that increase supply and reduce costs.
Filed under: