Jeanna Kenney, PhD
Joseph P. Barbetta Endowed Assistant Professor of Economics, Finance and Real Estate Villanova University
- Villanova PA
Jeanna Kenney, PhD, researches residential real estate transactions, local housing markets and local public finance.
Social
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Education
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
PhD
Haverford College
BA
Affiliations
- American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association
- American Finance Association
- American Economics Association
- Urban Economics Association
Select Media Appearances
The New Housing Bill Won't Provide Fast Relief. These Mortgage Tools Can Help You Right Now.
CNBC
2026-07-13
"The measure will likely not revolutionize housing markets overnight because construction still takes time regardless and because many of the provisions of the bill simply create incentives that still need to be taken up," Jeanna Kenney, an assistant economics professor at Villanova University, said in a statement. "But I am optimistic that there are certain pockets of the U.S. that will, over time, benefit from this."
Trump Refused to Sign It, but the Bipartisan Housing Affordability Bill Is Now Law
Yahoo! Finance
2026-07-11
Most laws governing construction and housing supply are set locally, but the federal law's incentives for local governments that enact pro-housing policies should ultimately help address the shortage, said Jeanna Kenney, assistant professor of economics, finance and real estate at Villanova School of Business.
Housing Bill Reaches Crucial Deadline. How Will It Change the US Market?
Newsweek
2026-07-08
Jeanna Kenney, a professor of economics and real estate at Villanova School of Business, told Newsweek that the legislation is "a meaningful attempt for the federal government to play a larger role in the affordability debate, which has largely been left up to local governments to address."
Congress Passes the Largest Housing Affordability Bill in Decades—and Trump Cancels the Signing
NPR
2026-06-24
The main issue this bill tries to address is that the U.S. does not have enough houses to keep up with demand... "Supply is the key problem here," said Jeanna Kenney, assistant professor of economics, finance and real estate at Villanova University. "Anything you can do to make supply easier is going to be helpful in the long term."
A Landmark Housing Bill Passed Congress. Home Builders Fear It Will Fizzle.
The Wall Street Journal
2026-06-23
Housing economists are preparing to watch how cities and towns react to the mishmash of provisions in this new housing package... "It will give researchers a chance to see if we put this hodgepodge of carrots and sticks together," said Jeanna Kenney, an economics and real estate professor at the Villanova School of Business. "Will it add up to something?"
Inside the Ambitious Housing Plan That Is Making Austin Homes More Affordable
Barron's
2026-05-31
As home prices across the country remain near record—and often unaffordable—levels, Austin has been dealing with something of a housing crash. What's even more unusual is that it's all going according to plan... Many growing cities can look at Austin and find a solution that suits them, says Jeanna Kenney, an assistant professor of economics and real estate at the Villanova School of Business in Pennsylvania.
Select Academic Articles
Higher Interest Rates Transform Housing Market, Texas Real Estate Workforce
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas2026
Bargaining on Behalf of Others: Incentives, Beliefs and Gender Gaps
Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization2025
Household Mobility, Networks and Gentrification of Minority Neighborhoods in the United States
Journal of Labor Economics2024
