Homelessness Rising as Job Losses Mount
Expanding the Voucher Program Can Help Fight Homelessness
Join the Campaign for the NHTF and more vouchers
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As we have been advocating over the last week to secure both a dedicated funding source for the National Housing Trust Fund and for more Section 8 vouchers, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities published yesterday a study indicating the need for additional vouchers. The report – Additional Housing Vouchers Needed to Stem Increase in Homelessness, By Douglas Rice – can be read in full by clicking here.
With strong evidence that poverty and homelessness are rising, Congress should consider realigning budget priorities to provide rental assistance to more low-income families by funding new housing vouchers.
Rental assistance is key to reducing homelessness among families with children. Housing vouchers are a particularly effective form of rental assistance because they are flexible and cost effective, making housing affordable even for families with very low incomes, according to numerous studies.
The Obama Administration will not release the full details of the President’s 2010 budget until next month, but early indications suggest that it will not propose new rental assistance. Thus, the responsibility to do so will fall to Congress.
During the last three recessions, the number of Americans living in poverty – and the number living below half of the poverty line – has risen markedly, with the largest increases occurring in recessions with the highest unemployment. Families with incomes below half of the poverty line face the greatest risk of becoming homeless, as they have the most difficulty paying rent. For example, a family of four with income below half of the poverty line has a monthly income of less than $833, which itself falls below the $900 average cost of a modest two-bedroom apartment.
To alleviate the current increase in homelessness and reduce homelessness over the longer term, the federal government should expand the voucher program. Congress could start by funding 200,000 new housing vouchers this year as part of the 2010 HUD appropriations act or a 2009 supplemental spending bill.
To read the full report click here.
