Walker & Dunlop Annual Survey Reveals Bold Optimism Driving Affordable Housing Market
BETHESDA, Md.--( BUSINESS WIRE)-- Walker & Dunlop, Inc.’s annual survey, conducted at the Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) Live conference, revealed a notable optimism in investment activity uptick and enthusiasm in HUD’s role in supporting housing construction. For the third year in a row, Walker & Dunlop surveyed top executives in affordable housing to capture their perspectives on key issues shaping the CRE industry. Respondents were developers, owners, management firms, and state housing agencies from across the country who are actively engaged in affordable housing development and financing. Overall sentiment signaled a bullish outlook for continued growth in 2026.
Key survey takeaways include:
Investments in Affordable Housing
HUD Effectiveness
Economic Policies
Tax Bill Changes & Future Housing Construction
Sheri Thompson, executive vice president and head of affordable housing at Walker & Dunlop, highlighted the value of understanding market trends and investor sentiment to guide strategic decision-making.
“This survey offers us a real-time pulse and reflection of industry sentiment,” Thompson said. “We held over 100 meetings at AHF Live and spoke with more than 300 clients. The survey results truly reflect what we’re hearing in those conversations. This insight matters and helps our team provide actionable guidance, anticipate trends, and support developers in making informed decisions in today’s dynamic affordable housing landscape.”
Walker & Dunlop’s Affordable Housing platform brings together a dedicated group of affordable specialists who provide our clients with solutions to achieve their affordable housing objectives. The team has the deep expertise and capability to provide debt and equity financing (LIHTC, conventional, and programmatic joint-venture), investment sales and advisory services, as well as opportunities to invest in the preservation and revitalization of affordable properties. To learn more about our capabilities and financing options, visit our website.
Methodology
Sample size for 2025 was 115 respondents.
About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally. Our ideas and capital create communities where people live, work, shop, and play. Our innovative people, breadth of our brand, and our technological capabilities make us one of the most insightful and client-focused firms in the commercial real estate industry.
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No or Minor Impact (0–5% increase): 29% (6% no impact, 23% minor positive).
Moderate Impact (6–10% increase): 33%.
Significant or Major Impact (11%+ increase): 25% (17% significant, 8% major).
Not familiar with the tax bill changes: 13%, reflecting uneven awareness of policy details across the industry.