Rural communities face unique challenges when dealing with the affordable housing crisis. Because development does not generally occur at a large scales in rural areas, construction costs are often higher in rural communities compared to urban areas, which reduces the incentives for private investment. Additionally, a lack of access to credit in many rural areas limits funding for maintenance of existing units.
NLIHC works with our state and national partners to advocate for increased funding for USDA and HUD programs, particularly those that provide funding to non-profits that support the creation of affordable housing.
Memo to Members and Partners Articles
NLIHC joined the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) and the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) in submitting a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Housing Service regarding its efforts to improve tenant communication procedures in the Rural Housing Voucher program (Section…
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance held a hearing, “Persistent Poverty in America: Addressing Chronic Disinvestment in Colonias, the Southern Black Belt, and the U.S. Territories,” on November 16.…
Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the “Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2022” (S.4872) on September 15. The bill aims to protect access to affordable housing for people living in rural communities and, if passed, would make needed…
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs’ Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development held a hearing, “Examining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service: Stakeholder Perspectives,” on September 20. Witnesses included Elizabeth…