Having a place to live is something everyone needs. However, many people can't afford their homes. Rental help can bridge the gap between what rents cost and what families can afford. It's been really effective at stopping homelessness and making sure people have enough room to live without overcrowding.
But the sad truth is that 3 out of 4 families that need help with rent aren't getting it because the government isn't putting enough money into these programs. This lack of help hits communities of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals especially hard because of long-standing unfairness in things like jobs and schooling.
The three main steps to help everyone who needs it are:
- Provide Enough Money for the Long Haul: The government should switch from deciding rental help funding year by year to a system that provides enough assistance whenever it's needed.
- Focus on Those Earning the Least: To start, guarantee rental help to the people earning the very least — like those making 15 or 30 percent below the typical income in their area.
- Make Help Easy to Get and Fair: The government should remove rules that block people from getting help because of their past or where they come from. They should also offer more support, so people can find housing easily.
By following these steps, we can move towards helping all families with low income get the rental help they need.
Why It’s Getting Harder to Afford Rent
For many, the rent is rising faster than their paychecks, leading to the risk of losing their homes. The hardest hit are those with the smallest paychecks: 83% of renters making less than $30,000 a year spend more than 30% of their earnings on rent and basic bills, and many of these families give more than half their income to housing costs.
This issue sometimes leads to homelessness. We have seen the number of homeless people grow to the highest on record since 2007, which is particularly concerning as special help and protections offered during the pandemic come to an end.
How Rental Help Can Change Lives
Rental assistance like the Housing Choice Vouchers has already helped more than 5 million households live in decent housing. It covers the gap between what they can afford and the actual rent.
This can change lives by helping people move out of shelters or stop living in places like cars, ensure kids can stay in school, and allow families to pay for food and other essentials.
These vouchers have been shown to keep families together and reduce the stress of not having a stable home. But the need is much bigger than what’s currently met — 3 out of 4 families who need help don't get it because there isn't enough money going into these programs.
Must Read: HUD Plans for the Future of Affordable Housing with Expert Roundtable
Expanding Help Can Reduce Inequality
Expanding these rental assistance programs can be a big step toward solving the housing crisis that disproportionately affects people of color. It also has the potential to lift millions out of poverty and reduce poverty rates for many racial and ethnic groups.
Supply-Only Isn’t Enough
Simply building more houses won't solve the affordability issue, especially for those with the smallest incomes. Affordable housing strategies must be paired with rental assistance to really make a difference.
The Path Forward
Moving towards a system where everyone who needs rental help gets it won't happen overnight. It requires a set of policies and steady steps to get there. But with these three principles in place, we can work toward a future where everyone can afford a stable place to call home.
-
Previous Article: Handy Tips for Negotiating a House Price
