To: White House Domestic Policy Council
From: Aaron C. Futch
Subject: Readdressing Housing Policies to Reduce Rural Homelessness
Although not the imagery that usually comes to mind when discussing homelessness, rural communities are currently facing an affordable housing crisis, with rates of unsheltered persons in families almost double that of urban areas. Federal housing assistance has historically neglected rental-assistance - which is a powerful tool in reducing homelessness and housing instability. More than 75% of federal housing expenditures support homeownership, the bulk of which go to the top fifth of households by income. Those federal resources which do provide rental assistance only reach about one-in-four eligible low-income renters. In order to reduce rural homelessness, the Administration should commit resources towards increasing rural access to rental-assistance and affordable housing. President Obama should direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with state housing authorities in …show more content…
Typically, low-income households may apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to help subsidize market-rate rents. However, because rural areas are rarely served by local public housing authorities (PHAs), Section 8 Vouchers are inaccessible to otherwise qualified individuals. The Administration should use funding incentives to encourage state housing authorities to develop offices to administer Section 8 Vouchers in communities otherwise not served by local PHAs. This policy would be best coupled with an initiative to have state housing authorities develop a needs-based balanced funding approach, so that rural communities’ needs are proportionally represented in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
From: Aaron C. Futch
Subject: Readdressing Housing Policies to Reduce Rural Homelessness
Although not the imagery that usually comes to mind when discussing homelessness, rural communities are currently facing an affordable housing crisis, with rates of unsheltered persons in families almost double that of urban areas. Federal housing assistance has historically neglected rental-assistance - which is a powerful tool in reducing homelessness and housing instability. More than 75% of federal housing expenditures support homeownership, the bulk of which go to the top fifth of households by income. Those federal resources which do provide rental assistance only reach about one-in-four eligible low-income renters. In order to reduce rural homelessness, the Administration should commit resources towards increasing rural access to rental-assistance and affordable housing. President Obama should direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with state housing authorities in …show more content…
Typically, low-income households may apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to help subsidize market-rate rents. However, because rural areas are rarely served by local public housing authorities (PHAs), Section 8 Vouchers are inaccessible to otherwise qualified individuals. The Administration should use funding incentives to encourage state housing authorities to develop offices to administer Section 8 Vouchers in communities otherwise not served by local PHAs. This policy would be best coupled with an initiative to have state housing authorities develop a needs-based balanced funding approach, so that rural communities’ needs are proportionally represented in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher