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
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) led a bipartisan group of 16 senators in a letter sent on April 17 to Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) urging them to include emergency funding to help rural renters in the next COVID-19 emergency relief package. The…
March 23, 2020
Senator Jeff Merkley Introduces “Making Affordable Housing Opportunities More Equitable Act”
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced on March 12 the “Making Affordable Housing Opportunities More Equitable Act” (S. 3452). This comprehensive bill is designed to reduce the shortcomings of current housing policies and funding levels by boldly addressing disparities and systemic obstacles to…
December 9, 2019
Fact of the Week: Higher Shares of Transgender and Non-Binary People Experiencing Homelessness are Unsheltered
Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness, Demographic Data Project (2019).
September 16, 2019
House of Representatives Passes Bill to Preserve Affordable Rental Housing in Rural Areas
The House of Representatives passed by voice vote on September 10 the “Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2019” (H.R. 3620), which aims to preserve affordable homes and avoid displacement in rural areas. The bill, introduced by Representative Lacy Clay (D-MO), would…