Are Immigrants Causing a Housing Shortage Like JD Vance Says? Here's What Economists Say

While immigration may be helping keep rental prices high, it is not the main culprit, since they are usually not competing for same housing as native residents. (Credit: Getty Images)

Ohio Sen. and Vice Presidential hopeful JD Vance claimed during Tuesday's vice-presidential debates that the U.S. is in the midst of a housing crisis primarily due to an increase in illegal immigration over the past few years. But is this entirely accurate? Economists say no.

Housing is one of many issues Vance, along with his running mate former President Donald Trump, believe are rooted in the arrival of undocumented migrants to the U.S. Along with zoning reform, the members of the GOP ticket have premised much of their policy on an unprecedented mass-deportation plan that they argue would reduce competition for housing.