Gulf Coast metros cited for lack of attainable housing

A new Urban Land Institute study concludes that the Naples, Sarasota and Fort Myers metropolitan areas are among the “least affordable” in the nation for housing, a phenomenon the group believes has severe cultural and environmental repercussions for the future.

The conclusions, based on 30 separate metrics measuring affordability, housing production and jobs in 112 metro areas throughout the U.S., paint a bleak picture of housing prospects for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

The Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island metro area is ranked as the seventh least affordable region in the country, while North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton came in at No. 14. Cape Coral-Fort Myers was ranked 19th.