For years, many of us have felt it: Charleston’s housing market is tight. Home prices and rents keep climbing, more people are moving in and there simply aren’t enough homes to go around. Local groups have long warned that we’d need a big increase in housing just to keep pace with population growth and the region’s booming economy.

We also knew that families and workers were already struggling. Many were spending more than 30% of their income just to keep a roof over their heads — a burden that affects not only households, but the stability of our workforce and the health of our communities.

What we didn’t have — until now — was a full picture of how big the gap really is or the full impact it has on affordability, growth and opportunity.

The new 2025 report, “The Charleston We Love: A Decade of Missed Opportunity and the Path Forward,” published by Greystar and the Charleston Metro Chamber, gives us that clarity:

• The Tri-County region is facing a shortfall of 47,000 to 60,000 housing units.
  
• This isn’t a temporary issue — it reflects years of under-building while population and job growth surged.
  
• The shortage affects everyone, not just high-income earners. Working families, middle-income households, essential workers and new entrants to the workforce all feel the pressure.
  
• If housing supply doesn’t catch up with demand, the region risks losing the workforce, diversity and affordability that make Charleston thrive.

This isn’t a side issue. It’s a real constraint on our economy, our communities and our quality of life.

Having solid data gives us a way forward:

• Set clear goals — know how many homes we need, what types and in what timeframe.
  
• Track progress — measure whether we’re closing the gap.
  
• Coordinate resources — make the most of funding, policies and regional collaboration.
  
• Plan for equity — ensure new housing works for everyone, from teachers and nurses to students and families, not just higher earners.

Looking at other regions of similar size, the lessons are clear. Where cities acted early, housing shortages were smaller and affordability held steady. Where planning lagged, prices soared and essential workers had to live farther from their jobs. Charleston has the chance to learn from these experiences and plan intentionally before the gap grows even larger.

Good data gives us direction. It lets us set goals, track our progress and make sure new housing serves everyone in our community.

Read the full report to see the full picture of our region’s housing needs.