Now Available: The Gap: Assessing the Affordability and Availability of Rental Housing in Puerto Rico

Across the United States, the private market alone fails to meet the housing needs of the lowest-income renters, and insufficient federal housing assistance fails to make up for it. Puerto Rico is no different, but its territorial status and economic conditions create unique housing challenges. The island has experienced an array of significant hardships in the past twenty years. As a result, too few homes are affordable and available to Puerto Rican renters with the lowest incomes. 

Each year, NLIHC’s The Gap report measures the affordability and availability of rental housing for various income groups nationwide. However, previous Gap report analysis has not included Puerto Rico, as it is not covered by the American Community Survey (ACS). For the first time, NLIHC utilized 2023 Puerto Rican Community Survey (PRCS) to analyze the availability and affordability of rental homes for low-income renters in Puerto Rico and compiled the findings into The Gap: Assessing the Affordability and Availability of Rental Housing in Puerto Rico report.  

Key findings from this report include:  

• Puerto Rico has a shortage of 54,915 homes affordable and available for renters with extremely low incomes. Only 66 homes are affordable and available for every 100 renter households with extremely low incomes.
• Renters with extremely low incomes account for 68% of all renters experiencing cost burdens and 86% of renters experiencing severe cost burdens.
• Renter householders with extremely low incomes are more likely than other renter householders to be seniors, have a disability, be in school, or be single-adult caregivers.
• Dominicans and South Americans are significantly more likely to be renters with extremely low incomes and are, therefore, more likely to experience housing challenges than other ethnic groups.
• The San Juan metropolitan area, where more than 60% of Puerto Rico’s renters reside, has only 65 affordable and available homes for every 100 renter households with extremely low incomes.  

Download The Gap: Assessing the Affordability and Availability of Rental Housing in Puerto Rico report in English here.  

Download The Gap: Assessing the Affordability and Availability of Rental Housing in Puerto Rico report in Spanish here.