Many housing and human services providers say their programs are underfunded as the housing crisis in rural parts of America grows.

A chronic economic decline over the last century and a strained housing supply are contributing to a growing housing crisis in rural America, where “one in four rural renters spends more than 50 percent of their income on housing.” Urban Institute researchers interviewed housing and human services providers in 12 rural counties to understand how well these programs are working in rural areas.
Anna Morgan and Corianne Payton Scally describe the results in Urban Wire. “Human services providers told us the rural families they served lacked affordable housing options and faced additional challenges because of low-paying jobs, poor quality of available housing, and high-cost burdens for renters.” Additionally, providers “shared concerns that federal income requirements for the programs they administer result in benefit cliffs for families, which limits their ability to maintain stable housing and meet basic needs.”
Proposed solutions include expanding federal housing programs in rural areas; partnering with local nonprofits to fill gaps in services, understand specific local needs, and share resources; and delivering services to people’s homes in areas where transportation is often a barrier to accessing resources.
Boosting support for housing programs is key to the overall social and economic wellbeing of rural communities, the researchers note.
FULL STORY: Housing and Human Services Programs Aren’t Meeting Rural Renters’ Needs

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.
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