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The latest Metro Atlanta Speaks (MAS) survey is out, and the message from residents is unmistakable: housing affordability is now the defining regional challenge. For the first time in the survey’s 12-year history, respondents could select housing affordability as the region’s biggest problem, and it immediately rose to the top of the list.
Conducted by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the MAS survey is the most comprehensive public opinion survey in metro Atlanta, gathering insights from more than 4,100 adults across 11 counties. This year’s findings paint a clear picture of how residents feel about housing, community life, economic conditions and the region’s trajectory. For the real estate industry, the survey offers critical insights that will shape policy conversations and development decisions in the year ahead.
Housing Affordability Ranked No. 1 Regional Issue
This year, 28 percent of respondents said housing affordability is the biggest issue facing metro Atlanta. Traffic followed at 24 percent, then crime and the economy at 13 percent each. The shift is notable because housing affordability was not previously offered as a response option. Its immediate rise to the top confirms what builders, Realtors, developers and planners have been hearing anecdotally for years.
Residents feel the strain of rising home prices and rents, and many no longer believe they can afford to move, upgrade or relocate within their communities. This concern transcends county lines and income levels.
Key numbers include:
- 62 percent say they cannot afford to move to another house or apartment in their current neighborhood
- Concern levels are consistent with last year, despite shifts in interest rates and wage growth
- The affordability conversation is now inseparable from conversations about growth, development, and overall quality of life
For the real estate industry, this confirms what every builder sees on the ground: demand for attainable housing far exceeds supply.
What Residents Believe Is Driving the Housing Challenge
A new set of questions explored what residents see as the root causes of affordability issues. Two themes dominated:
- 44 percent believe developers are building homes that are too expensive
- 35 percent cite investors buying homes to rent as a major factor
These perceptions matter, especially as local governments and planning bodies respond to public concern. The belief that builders are focused only on higher-end product suggests a need for more education around the real costs of developing land, building homes, and navigating zoning and regulatory barriers. It also underscores a growing appetite for missing-middle housing that bridges the gap between apartments and single-family homes.
Investor activity, particularly in the single-family rental market, continues to shape regional attitudes. With one in three respondents pointing to investors as a key factor in affordability challenges, BTR and SFR stakeholders should expect continued scrutiny as policymakers consider regulations.
Economic Anxiety Is Rising
Although housing affordability topped the list, concern about the broader economy is growing:
- 53 percent say it is a bad time to find a well-paying job
- This is up significantly from 41 percent last year
- Residents are increasingly pessimistic about near-term conditions
Nearly half of respondents, 46.5 percent, believe living conditions will worsen over the next three to four years. Only 16 percent expect improvement. This shift in sentiment may affect buying patterns, rental behavior and household formation, especially among younger residents.
For builders and developers, this underscores the importance of meeting buyers where they are with products that emphasize long-term value, efficiency and cost predictability. In a market where confidence is softening, new construction still offers advantages over resale: energy savings, lower maintenance, modern design and warranties that reduce financial uncertainty.
AI and Job Security Concerns Affect Future Housing Demand
New questions this year examined attitudes toward artificial intelligence. While many respondents believe AI will improve productivity and make life easier, concerns about job security overshadow those benefits:
- 61 percent believe AI will boost productivity
- 49 percent believe AI will improve daily life
- 73 percent, however, believe AI will reduce available jobs
This tension may affect future household formation, especially if younger workers delay milestones like homebuying due to economic uncertainty. On the flip side, productivity enhancements in key industries could support wage growth or reduce building costs over time.
What The Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey Means for the Housing Market
Attainable Housing Demand Will Continue to Grow
The survey confirms what many industry leaders already know: the appetite for homes priced within reach of the average household is not being met. Whether through townhomes, smaller footprint homes, missing-middle concepts or BTR communities, opportunities are wide open for builders who can deliver affordability without sacrificing quality.
Developers Have a Communication Opportunity
With nearly half of residents believing developers build homes that are “too expensive,” the industry has a significant storytelling gap. Education about the real costs of development —including materials, labor, insurance, zoning and interest rate impacts —could help reshape perceptions.
Builders and developers who communicate value and transparency will stand out.
Investors Face Growing Public Scrutiny
Investor activity in residential real estate remains a flashpoint. Policymakers across the country are exploring limits on investor purchases, and metro Atlanta may not be far behind given the public sentiment reflected in this survey.
Economic Uncertainty Will Shape Buying Behavior
With fewer residents feeling confident about local job prospects, buyers may prioritize stability and cost control. New construction, with its warranties and lower operating costs, can be positioned as a smarter financial choice in uncertain times.
Planning, Policy and the Future of Housing in Metro Atlanta
The ARC uses Metro Atlanta Speaks to guide regional planning. With affordability rising to the top of the concern list, expect stronger conversations around:
- Zoning reform
- Increased density in targeted areas
- Expansion of missing-middle housing
- Transit-oriented development
- Partnerships between municipalities and private developers
For those in the home building and real estate sectors, this is a moment to help shape long-term policies that align with market needs.
A Region in Transition
The 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey shows a region grappling with affordability pressure, economic uncertainty, and a shifting housing landscape. Yet it also highlights opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
As Mayor Andre Dickens noted, “Concerns over housing affordability came through loud and clear. Our region is making meaningful progress, but there’s more work to do.”
The coming year will bring important conversations about growth, development and the future of housing in metro Atlanta. With residents calling for solutions, the real estate industry has a key role to play in strengthening regional housing choices and ensuring the region remains a place where people can live, work and thrive.
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