One Of A Kind Affordable Housing Resource
A Growing Crisis
The cost to rent or purchase housing is becoming increasingly less affordable to millions of people. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that one in four households in the U.S. pays more than 30 percent of their income for housing and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food or clothing. Families are forced to choose between keeping the roof over their head or putting food on the table. With the growing need for affordable and decent housing options, it is important that individuals and communities advocate policies to support this urgent issue. In an effort to shine a light on assistance available to those in need, this article focuses on an organization leading the fight to expand the supply of low-income housing and establish housing stability in our country.
A Guiding Light
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is an organization committed to attaining socially just public policy that ensures low-income families have access to affordable and decent homes across the nation. This is a group that focuses on specific policies that support their mission and works to improve and increase resources available to low-income individuals.
Empowering Minds
The NLIHC website highlights extremely valuable content including, opportunities for individuals to take action and make a difference in their own communities, research on the latest policy issues as well as advocacy tips for public housing residents. Especially helpful for those living in public housing or considered low-income renters is the organization's newsletter, Tenant Talk. Meant to engage low-income people in housing advocacy, the newsletter features issues relevant to the low-income community in hopes to empower those individuals with valuable information.
NLIHC partners with state coalitions all over the country in order to strengthen both the state and national advocacy for more affordable housing. If you looking for assistance, reaching out to coalitions in your local area can be more beneficial as they are more familiar with the community and current housing programs available. To find out more about the housing advocates in your area, visit their list of partners for details. Interested in taking action? Find out who your representative is and contact them today to have your voice heard!
Powerful Resources
Two of the most powerful tools that NLIHC provides access to are the State and City funded Rental Housing Database and the Renters In Foreclosure Toolkit. Unfortunately, housing resources provided by the Federal government help only about 25% of eligible households, leaving a large need for more affordable housing options in our country. Many states and some of the larger U.S. cities have turned to their own revenue to assist in funding low-income rental housing programs. The State and City Funded Rental Housing Database is a one of a kind resource that consists of over 300 active programs separate from those that are federally funded. Individuals seeking assistance should search for programs in their home-state to find details pertaining to contact information and qualification.
If you are renting a property that is being foreclosed or has been foreclosed, the Renters In Foreclosure Toolkit can help you properly navigate your situation and understand your rights as a tenant. There is no agency responsible for enforcing the PTFA (Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act) so it is essential that tenants are in full understanding of their rights and options and this tool can provide that assistance.
If you are seeking a more comprehensive report of the government resources available to low-income families, please visit our article Affordable Housing: Your First Steps.