A new Zillow analysis points to a potential source of new housing supply in the middle of America’s ongoing home shortage: vacant land already listed for sale. The company said more than 300,000 empty lots across the country could be used for new construction, offering one possible path to add homes in a market that has struggled to keep up with demand.
According to the research, Zillow identified 300,242 empty lots that are five acres or smaller. That finding suggests there is a sizable amount of land on the market that could be developed, rather than sitting unused, at a time when the United States continues to face a multimillion-home housing deficit.
The report highlights how small parcels could become part of the broader housing solution. If even a share of those lots were turned into new homes, they could help expand inventory in many areas where buyers have faced limited choices and elevated prices.
The broader takeaway is that the housing shortage is not only about existing homes for sale, but also about land that could support future building. Zillow’s findings add to the conversation around how the market might create more housing by making better use of vacant lots that are already available.
