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The Downmarket Impact of New Multifamily Housing: Evidence from a Honolulu Condo Tower

Author

Listed:
  • Justin Tyndall

    (University of Hawai‘i at MÄ noa, University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization)

  • Limin Fang

    (University of Hawai‘i at MÄ noa, Department of Economics)

  • Emi Kim

    (University of Hawai‘i at MÄ noa, Department of Economics)

Abstract

We test whether new condominium construction generates vacancies in a local housing market through induced moves. Using detailed address-history microdata, we track households who moved into a newly built 512-unit condominium tower in Honolulu, Hawai'i, which included both market-rate and incomerestricted units. We identify prior addresses and follow vacancy chains across multiple rounds of moves. The vacated homes were substantially cheaper than the new units and spanned diverse locations and housing types. Income-restricted units produced fewer secondary vacancies, but those vacancies were concentrated at lower price points. Our results show that new condominium construction eases supply constraints and expands affordability in a local housing market, and the contrast between market-rate and income-restricted units has important implications for inclusionary zoning policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin Tyndall & Limin Fang & Emi Kim, 2025. "The Downmarket Impact of New Multifamily Housing: Evidence from a Honolulu Condo Tower," Working Papers 2025-3, University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
    • Handle: RePEc:hae:wpaper:2025-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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