Housing is a slowing factor and eventually a limit on 
Population growth in each city.
 Housing Housing minus Population
|
Growth rate from  Food
|
|---|---|
| 2 or more | 100% |
| 1 | 50% |
| 0 to -4 | 25% |
| -5 or less | 0% |
The simplest source of Housing Housing is a water source. Fresh water (River, Lake or Aqueduct) provides 5 Housing Housing. Coast provides 3 Housing Housing if you don't have fresh water.
Many buildings grant Housing Housing. After researching Pottery, every city is able to build a Granary, which adds 2 Housing Housing, and later they can build Sewers, which also adds 2 Housing Housing. Buildings in other districts sometimes add Housing Housing, such as the Barracks in the Encampment district, the University in the Campus, and the Lighthouse in the Harbor. The Palace building in your 
Capital Capital city also adds 1 Housing Housing.
Each Farm, Pasture, Plantation, or Camp supports a small amount of Population — 1 Housing Housing for every 2 such improvements. Supporting rural Population in this fashion will allow for slightly larger Populations prior to the Industrial Era, when the Neighborhood district becomes available.