Conduct research on your chosen civic or social issue topic.
Submit a two-paragraph summary of your research. Follow the requirements listed below.
Requirements
Each paragraph should be at least 8 sentences. You must indent the beginning of each paragraph.
You also must cite your online sources:
URL
Date of access
Webmaster (if given)
Database name (if given)
After conducting research on the issue of affordable housing in the United States, I found that it is a widespread problem affecting millions of Americans. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), there is a shortage of over 7 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renters in the US. This has led to many low-income families spending more than half of their income on housing, leaving them vulnerable to financial instability and homelessness. The lack of affordable housing options is exacerbated by rising rents, stagnant wages, and cuts to housing assistance programs over the years.
One of the main reasons for the affordable housing crisis is the failure of federal, state, and local governments to invest in affordable housing initiatives. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, federal funding for affordable housing programs has declined significantly over the past few decades, making it increasingly difficult for low-income individuals and families to find affordable housing. Additionally, not enough affordable housing units are being built to keep up with the demand, leading to a shortage of available options for those in need. Addressing the affordable housing crisis will require a multifaceted approach that includes increased funding for affordable housing programs, implementing zoning policies that promote affordable housing development, and providing support services for low-income individuals and families to help them secure stable housing.
Sources:
National Low Income Housing Coalition. “The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes.” https://nlihc.org/gap. Accessed on November 12, 2021.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Federal Low-Income Housing Programs.” https://www.cbpp.org/policy-basics/federal-low-income-housing-programs. Accessed on November 12, 2021.