No US State Has Enough Affordable Housing for Low-Income Renters – But These 11 States Are the Worst

Flint, Michigan-December 30, 2017: Low income housing with uncut grass and weeds.

Even people who have a decent income may struggle paying rent. The affordability crisis is only worsening. High demand (due partly to the financial inability to buy a home), inventory shortage and a lack of new residential construction are major factors in the soaring costs of living.

One proven solution to lessen the financial burden of renting is affordable housing, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines as housing for which the occupant is paying no more than 30% of their gross income for housing costs, including utilities.

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But affordable housing is hugely underfunded, meaning there’s not nearly enough to go around. This is a nationwide problem, but some states are particularly short on affordable housing.

Let’s look at the worst states for low-income renters in need of affordable housing, according to research from the National Low Income Housing Coalition:

Here is the token nighttime long exposure shot of the U.

District of Columbia

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 50,011  
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 33
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 75%

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A roadside welcome to Washington State sign in the rural Palouse area near Spokane, Washington, USA.

Washington 

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 237,903
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 28  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 75%

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Colorado welcome road sign stock photo

Colorado

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 164,750
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 27  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%

Fountain in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Indiana

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 209,710  
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 34  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%

Arlington, VA, USA September 29, 2011 A Sign with a red cardinal, the Virginia state bird, welcomes people to the State of Virginia near Arlington.

Virginia

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 263,914 
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 30  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%

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California Multifamily Homes stock photo

California

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 1,282,835
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 24  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 77%

Walkway to Helen Georgia stock photo

Georgia

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 325,237
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 34   
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 78%
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 77%

Welcome to Oregon Sign stock photo

Oregon

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 138,104
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 26  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 78%

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Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, part of the Greater Phoenix Area.

Arizona

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 176,191  
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 24  
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 79%

River walk in San Antonio city downtown skyline cityscape of Texas USA at sunset.

Texas

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 906,885
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 25 
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 79%

Town of Hollywood waterfront panoramic view, Florida stock photo

Florida

• Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 583,625
• Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 25 
• Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 82%

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