Community Issues and Insights 2026: Housing Affordability and Inflation Remain Top Concerns

Community Issues and Insights 2026: Housing Affordability and Inflation Remain Top Concerns

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Community Issues Survey (CIS) collects information semiannually from direct service providers to monitor economic conditions and identify issues impacting low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in the Federal Reserve's Fourth District, a region that includes Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. From March 2 through 13, 2026, we surveyed more than 550 organizations that directly serve LMI individuals and communities across our District and received 108 responses (19 percent response rate). The results of this survey are summarized here and provide insights into how organizations and the households they serve are faring in today's economy.

• Matt KlestaSenior Policy Analyst

The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.