A systemic lack of investment in affordable housing directly contributes to the nation’s growing affordable housing crisis. Congress must provide adequate and responsible funding to housing and redevelopment agencies to ensure they can continue providing affordable housing in thriving communities.

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• Increase Investments in Affordable Housing Programs: Insufficient investments in affordable housing exacerbates the affordable housing crisis by failing to provide adequate housing options for low- and middle-income families. Congress should fully fund public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Rental Assistance contracts, and community development programs to guarantee all families have access to safe and secure housing.
• Limit the Uncertainties of Continuing Resolutions and Indiscriminate Funding Cuts: Congress’s reliance on continuing resolutions creates uncertainty in funding, which negatively impacts public housing programs, voucher utilization, and long-term planning efforts. Any across-the-board cut to federal rental assistance and community development programs would only exacerbate these challenges.
• Minimize Impacts on Federal Grant Programs: Delayed funding for grant programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, and Homeless Assistance Grants caused by long-term continuing resolutions hampers efforts to strengthen communities and provide affordable housing options. This uncertainty makes the critical work provided by redevelopment agencies more difficult.
• Understand Changing Market Dynamics: NAHRO members face difficulties in housing low- and middle-income families within strong, vibrant communities due to numerous factors including rising rents, tight rental markets, increased insurance premiums, and federal inflation factors that do not keep pace with rising costs on the ground. Federal appropriations must account for these realities.
• Increase the Supply of Resilient Affordable Housing: A shortage of housing further intensifies the housing affordability issue, as demand outweighs supply, leading to increased competition and higher costs. Funding must be provided to build more affordable units across the country to address this issue. Additionally, climate resilient approaches to development and financing must be considered before and after natural disasters strike.

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Addressing these funding challenges requires coordinated efforts from Congress, policymakers, and stakeholders in the housing sector to prioritize affordable housing initiatives, allocate sufficient funding, and implement effective strategies to increase housing supply and affordability.