Immigration raids are hitting multifamily operators. Here’s how they’re responding. | Construction Dive
Summary
The article discusses the impact of immigration raids on multifamily housing operators in the U.S., particularly in states like Florida and Texas, highlighting negative occupancy trends and responses from property managers.
Why It Matters
This issue is significant as it affects housing demand and occupancy rates in multifamily properties, particularly those catering to lower-income residents. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for stakeholders in the real estate and housing sectors, especially amid ongoing immigration policy debates.
Key Takeaways
- Immigration raids are negatively impacting occupancy rates in multifamily housing.
- Certain regions, especially in the Sun Belt, are experiencing increased apartment vacancies due to reduced immigration.
- Property managers are adapting by educating employees and residents about the implications of these raids.
An article from Deep Dive Immigration raids are hitting multifamily operators. Here’s how they’re responding. Managers report negative occupancy impacts from ICE in states like Florida and Texas, which could be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” for class C properties, according to one expert. Published Feb. 26, 2026 Leslie Shaver Senior Reporter Share Copy link Email LinkedIn X/Twitter Facebook Print License Add us on Google An armored personnel vehicle sits in the intersection outside of an apartment complex that was raided by federal agents on January 16, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Jim Vondruska via Getty Images First published on In late 2025, the management team at Minneapolis-based Centerspace took stock of where immigration enforcement actions were in its home city. The crackdown, which drew national scrutiny after the January killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, had actually started a few months before. Despite the turmoil in the city, Centerspace President and CEO Anne Olson said the REIT has seen very few interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at its properties so far. “We have a system where [enforcement actions are] reported,” Olson said. “And it's really limited to just a couple of communities where we've seen some interruption, and that interruption would be from leasing all the way to resident skips. But so far, it has had a really minimal impact.” However, Olson noted that in January, Minneapolis had low turnover and few pe...
