Research — March 2026
A three-part analysis of LIHTC production gaps, post-pandemic displacement, and the housing need-supply crisis across 12 Midwestern states. Built from HUD and Census Bureau public data.
Key Findings
Ohio leads the Midwest with 105,000 low-income units produced. Wisconsin has produced only 39 units per 1,000 renters — a structural underinvestment compounded over decades. Illinois and North Dakota show zero recent pipeline activity.
Brown County, NE saw a 76% rent increase against only 20% income growth since 2019. North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska rank as the most displaced states. Rural and suburban counties are absorbing the greatest affordability squeeze.
Wisconsin has a gap score of 4.75 — meaning 1,576 severely burdened renters for every new low-income unit produced since 2015. This is a critical finding that represents both a crisis and a clear investment opportunity.
Full Report
Source: HUD LIHTC Database 2023 · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · Canopy Civic Atlas analysis
What This Means for You
The analysis in this brief is the kind of intelligence we deliver in every engagement — but focused on your specific market, your specific geography, your specific question. If you are a LIHTC developer or CDFI evaluating a market in the Midwest, we can build the same rigor around your decision.