Fixing the Housing Voucher Shortage

As low-income families wait years to receive housing assistance vouchers, experts suggest new ways to improve the program and help more eligible households.

1 minute read

November 17, 2023, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of FOR RENT sign with white text on bright red background.

Photos public domain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

Households eligible for federal housing assistance vouchers are often unable to get on waiting lists whose numbers stretch into the tens of thousands, writes Molly Bolan in Route Fifty, making the program ineffective for a large portion of the people who qualify for it.

With families languishing for years in unstable short-term housing, what can states and cities do to assist struggling renters? One solution, according to some experts: tax credits. “Tax credits give governments flexibility to target specific populations, such as the elderly or people with disabilities,” Bolan explains. “Plus, property owners won’t necessarily know which tenants are receiving tax credits to help with housing costs,” mitigating the potential for discrimination against low-income households.

Other ways to improve the effectiveness of the voucher program include passing laws against source-of-income discrimination and implementing cash assistance programs that could reduce administrative overhead and get people into stable affordable housing faster.

Thursday, November 16, 2023 in Route Fifty

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

View of wetlands with lilypads at dusk.

States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling

The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.

December 5 - Pew Stateline

Rendering of white, yellow, and purple Brightline West high-speed rail train speeding along highway median with blurred cars in foreground.

Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.

December 5 - Fox 5

Rapid bus at station at night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides

The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.

December 5 - The Oklahoman

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.