Report Highlights

• Operational residential investment held up strongly against other real estate asset classes through the Covid-19 pandemic
• Occupancy levels and rental levels were also comparatively robust
• Social changes and technological advances are driving significant demand for purpose-built, high-quality rental product globally
• Cities still have a huge role to play in creating attractive and sustainable places to live for people of all generations, who want quality accommodation, amenity and a sense of community
• The Social value and impact of new schemes is now a vital consideration, and includes aspects such as affordability, inclusivity, health and wellbeing

Operational residential real estate has proven to be extremely resilient in a time of exceptional global upheaval. Global investment into the living sectors held up better than the office, retail or hotel sectors last year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought many challenges, and has accelerated changes to the way we live and work. For investors, lenders, developers and operators in multifamily, student housing, co-living and senior housing, it is important to understand how these forces are shaping the sector.

Change was already underway prior to the pandemic. Technological advances were transforming the way we live and interact with our urban environments. Decades of growth in our cities had seen demand for homes outstrip supply, squeezing affordability. This has fuelled demand for rental product, also supported by mobile workforces and student populations. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for cities and the real estate within them to evolve to respond to new challenges. Affordability, inclusivity, health and wellbeing are now high on the agenda.

_{Read the articles within Report: Global Living – 2021 below.}