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 national partners in submitting a letter on July 13 to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the agency to release guidance to Rural Housing Service (RHS) providers on complying with housing protections established in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The letter requests that RHS…
The House passed the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act” by a vote of 208-199 on the night of May 15. Introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on May 12, the “HEROES Act” is a $3 trillion relief bill to help the nation respond to the ongoing coronavirus…
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…