Reports and Studies Highlight Increasing Need for Affordable Housing

Several new reports highlight the increasing need for affordable housing nationwide, underscoring the importance of expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). A publication from the NYU Furman Center detailed how the Housing Credit serves as the federal government’s primary financing tool for the construction and preservation of affordable housing. The report shows that since 1986, the Housing Credit has generated a host of benefits for communities, including increased surrounding home values and lower crime rates, as well as providing many residents with access to better schools. Additionally, the AARP Public Policy Institute recently released a report highlighting the importance of Housing Credit properties for the elderly population. The report finds that 30 percent of housing cost-burdened households are ages 62 and older, making the Housing Credit a source of much-needed affordable housing for low-income seniors.