Housing and Wood Products Assessment

Projecting future wood needs in the housing industry has many facets: understanding characteristics of present housing stock; projecting regional growth trends; and studying architectural and construction innovations; as well as ascertaining barriers to implementing housing innovation. Many of these areas are in a dramatic state of flux due to changes in growth trends, life-styles and the economy. The housing industry, thought by many to be impervious to change, is being forced to address these changes. This state of flux makes this a timely report, but also makes quantitative projections difficult. Some changes are pulling the housing industry in different directions, while the affects of others are compounded. This report attempts to describe the many areas effecting housing needs and to delineate their resultant impact on wood types and amounts needed for future housing.