RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing is one of the most pressing problems in cities across the U.S. The lack of quality housing that families can afford exacerbates inequality, fuels homelessness, and hampers economic growth. Now’s the time to advocate for policies to turn the crisis around, mobilize our communities and push both city and state governments to do something about the housing crisis. Here are several ways to get started.

The Right to the City Alliance brings together tenants, unhoused people, and housing advocates to fight displacement and gentrification. They focus on equitable development and housing justice policies that center the needs of low-income communities and communities of color. By attending city council meetings, rallies, and calling or visiting your local reps, community members can really help push affordable housing developments, rent control measures, and inclusionary zoning policies to get more missing middle housing projects over the finish line.

Data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that 11 million households spend more than 50% of their income on housing, leaving little for necessities like food, healthcare, and education. Advocacy efforts that highlight the extent to which people are hurting creates momentum for action. Organizations like the National Low Income Housing Coalition play a crucial role in driving the conversation about affordable housing. They advocate for more federal funding for affordable housing programs, stronger tenant protections, and full enforcement of fair housing laws.

Nonprofits and community groups are often on the frontlines of helping people when governments don’t. Habitat for Humanity cheaply build homes for people in need and advocates for greater investments in affordable housing through their Cost of Home Campaign. They have a great policy platform on land use, housing finance, and community development to ensure that more families can afford to live in safe, affordable homes.

In 2024 the U.S. had a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for low-income renters. One thing we know from the last election is that working class people are angry and hungry for change; both parties are taking note. It’s time for legislation that increases funding for affordable housing and tenant protections. The federal Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act claims to expand and improve the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to finance the construction of affordable rental units. It’s going to take big solutions to solve a huge problem and legislative measures like these increase the supply of affordable homes and reduce housing inequality.

State and local governments also play an essential role in shaping housing policies including the number of units set aside for low-income residents. California has introduced ambitious measures such as S.B. 9 to allow duplexes and lot splits in single-family neighborhoods, addressing both the housing shortage and affordability crisis.

Today close to 600,000 people in the U.S. are homeless, which fuels mental health issues and threatens public safety when people have to survive by whatever means necessary. This is a crisis that will not get better on its own. We need policies to create affordable housing.