Topeka, Kansas, faces a housing shortage due to a combination of economic, demographic, and structural factors that have created a persistent gap between housing supply and demand. Several key reasons contribute to this issue.
First, there’s a lack of sufficient new construction to meet growing demand. A 2020 Citywide Housing Market Study highlighted that Topeka needs approximately 720 new homes annually to accommodate both homeownership and rental needs, yet construction has not kept pace. Nationally and locally, the housing market has been strained by years of underbuilding following the 2008 recession, and Topeka is no exception. While demand has surged—driven by low interest rates in recent years and an influx of buyers seeking affordability—supply has lagged, with homes selling quickly (often within 7-20 days) and inventory dropping to critically low levels, like the 115 homes for sale reported in 2023 compared to a historical norm of much higher numbers. Second, a shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry exacerbates the problem. The Topeka Area Building Association has noted a deficit of local builders, with many tied up in custom projects rather than speculative builds that could increas...