Housing fulfills the basic human need for shelter and is a strong measure of a community's cost of living, relative wealth and general prosperity.  In all cases, comparisons to state statistics reflect the state excluding New York City.

Homeownership rates have remained steady across the region and on par with the state at 71%. 
Rates were similar across the Mid-Hudson Valley, except Putnam County with the highest rate at 84% in 2018-22. Rates varied greatly based on race/ethnicity with Whites and Asian rates at 75% and 73% respectively compared to 56% for Hispanics and 45% for African Americans.

The Mid-Hudson Valley experienced a decrease in the rate of homelessness since 2007.
In 2022, there were 15 homeless people per 10,000 residents in the region, or nearly 1,500 people. Among the counties, Ulster County had the highest rate at 22 homeless people per 10,000 residents, followed by Dutchess County (21). Orange County had the lowest rate at 8 homeless people per 10,000 residents in 2022. The region’s rate of homelessness decreased by 21% between 2007 and 2022,  higher than the 19% decline in the national rate. 

Owning a home has become harder in the Mid-Hudson Valley has become more affordable since 2008-12, but homeownership remains unaffordable for many.
The affordability ratio (median home value divided by household income) was 3.6 in the region in 2018-22, down from 4.2 in 2008-12. Across the region, ratios ranged from a low of 3.2 in Sullivan County to a high of 3.7 in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange counties - all approximately at or above the 3.0 considered affordable.

Rental housing has become more affordable  between 2008-12 and 2018–22, similar to the state trend.
Region-wide, 32% of the median household income went to cover rent in 2018-22, above the federal affordability guideline that housing should cost no more than 30% of household income. Renters in Orange and Ulster had the highest shares of income going to rent (both at 35%) while Greene, Putnam, and Sullivan had the lowest at 30%. All counties were above the 27% spent statewide (excluding NYC). These shares remained fairly steady from 2008-12 in every county except Putnam and Sullivan which saw 8 and 5 point decreases respectively. Rental housing was considered less affordable for African American who spent 35% of their income on rent compared to Asian and Hispanic renters (both 30%) and White renters (29%).