Examining Supply-Side Constraints to Low-Income Homeownership

Much of homeownership research and policy focuses on financial or information barriers that might frustrate low-income renter households from buying a home. Given existing subsidies and mortgage products, many low-income households may be in a position to overcome the wealth and income constraints to buying a home. Moreover, homebuyer education and counseling efforts by private and public entities provide potential buyers with information on how to negotiate the process of purchasing a first home. However, households may still be constrained by a lack of adequate housing units at an appropriate sales price in a desired location…