Three Basic Rules for Making Sure Everyone Can Get Help with Rent

• Author: Aubrey Sipes
• Posted: 2024-10-28

Everyone needs a place to live, but too many people can't afford a decent home. The government helping people pay their rent is a great way to fix this problem. It's already doing a lot of good, like stopping homelessness and making sure families aren't squished into tiny spaces. 

However, there's a big problem: 3 out of every 4 families who really need this help aren't getting it because there isn't enough money to go around. This issue hits people of color, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ folks the hardest because of unfair policies that have been around for too long.
 

How to Fix This:

1. Make sure funding for rent help grows when more people need it.

Right now, the government decides how much money to give to rent help year by year. We should change this to make sure the help is there for everyone who qualifies.

2. Focus on helping those with the lowest incomes first.

To make sure everyone who needs rent help can get it, we should start by providing guaranteed help to those with the least money.

3. Get rid of rules that make it hard for people to get help and offer additional support.

We need to stop excluding people because of their past mistakes or where they were born. Also, offering extra help, like money or services to find housing, will ensure everyone has fair access to a home.
 

Why This Matters

People are paying way too much for rent compared to what they earn, and it's getting worse. This situation puts a lot of people at risk of losing their homes or living in places that are too crowded. 

Especially the poorest households are suffering the most, with many paying more than half of their income on rent.

Must Read: HUD Plans for the Future of Affordable Housing with Expert Roundtable

Rent assistance is a proven way to help. It means people can afford a stable home, kids do better, and families can spend their money on other essentials like food and clothes. It also helps the whole community by making sure everyone can find an affordable place to live.

But, we're not helping as many families as we should be. Expanding rent assistance could give millions more low-income households the stability of an affordable home. It can also address the unfairness in who gets housing help, particularly affecting communities of color.
 

Expanding Rent Assistance Means:

 

• Fewer people without homes: Rent help can stop homelessness by providing stability.
• Fairer chances for everyone: Improving rent assistance can help fight the effects of racism and inequality in housing.
• Lower poverty rates: With universal rent assistance, millions could be lifted out of poverty.

 

The Bottom Line

Everyone agrees we need more houses to lower rents, but building alone won't help those with the lowest incomes. That's why we need both more houses and rent assistance. 
And don't worry, helping more people with their rent won't suddenly make rent prices jump. The best way to make sure everyone can afford a home is to ensure there's enough rent help for all who need it.

It'll take time to get there, involving many steps and policy changes. But by following these three basic rules, we can start moving towards a system where everyone who needs help with their rent can get it.

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