Author: Chris Holden
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Low-income renters threatened by government shutdown
Millions of low-income renters will find themselves in dire straits if the partial shutdown of the federal government does not end soon. Some affordable housing properties have already had their rental assistance frozen, and most federal housing assistance funding will run out by the end of February. Editor’s Note: A timeline visualizing the major events…
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Why is it hard to maintain quality Public Housing?
Recent stories have highlighted the poor condition of Public Housing around the country. Public Housing communities serve people with the lowest incomes, mostly seniors, disabled persons and families with children. Some buildings are in such bad shape that HUD has taken over management from the local Public Housing Agency (PHA). How did we…
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HUD Report Shows Rise in Homelessness for Second Year in a Row
Key Facts: 2017 saw a 9% increase in the homeless population, and 2018 continued the trend with a .3% increase. Among all those counted, 60% were male and 39% were female. A 2% increase in unsheltered persons was primarily responsible for the overall increase in homelessness for 2018. The number of veterans and families with…
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Rental Assistance Demonstration Program Helps Improve Public Housing
Much of the nation’s public housing stock is aging. Stagnant funding for operations and capital repairs have meant many public housing properties suffer from deferred maintenance. They need new roofs and boilers, kitchens and bathrooms, and upgrades to improve energy efficiency and access for persons with disabilities. Amid controversy over conditions of its Public Housing…
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Renter Tax Credits Proposed to Address U.S. Rental Housing Crisis
Two bold proposals to help low-income renters were recently introduced in the Senate and House that would provide a refundable tax credit to renters who are paying too much of their income for their housing. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) recently introduced the Rent Relief Act, a bill that would provide a refundable tax credit for…
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Housing Stability Loans Can Keep Renters in Their Homes
America is in the midst of a rental housing crisis that is hitting low-income renters the hardest. To help low-income renters find new homes and stay in them, affordable housing advocates have come up with some creative solutions. For many years, rents have risen dramatically while incomes remain stagnant. 80% of renters earning less than…
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Trump Proposal Punishes Legal Immigrants Receiving Housing Benefits
The Trump Administration is drafting a proposed rule that will penalize legal immigrants for using housing assistance and other safety net programs. The proposal would expand the list of supportive programs that can be considered when determining if an immigrant is a “public charge,” meaning that they are dependent on the government to meet their…
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Public Housing Smoking Ban Starts July 31
Smoking will be banned on all Public Housing premises throughout the country starting July 31, 2018. Under the new regulations, smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes will not be allowed in apartments, public areas or within 25 feet of Public Housing buildings. Smoking water pipes, or hookahs, is also banned in these areas. At this time…
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Harvard Report Shows Rental Cost Burden a Deepening Crisis
According to The State of the Nation’s Housing 2018 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, low-income renters continue to be hit hard by rising housing costs. In 2016, 47% of renter households had housing cost burden. This means they paid more than 30% of their monthly income for rent. Although this is…
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Report Highlights Growing Affordability Crisis for Low-Income Renters
The growing gap between stagnant wages and rising housing costs impacts millions of low-income renters. According to Out of Reach 2018, an annual report of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), there is not a single area in the U.S. where a full time worker earning minimum wage can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. And…