Housing Market Finally Improves for Country's Poorest Renters

New data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that the rental market is improving for the most at-risk populations in the country.

1 minute read

May 6, 2015, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


According to an article by Lydia DePillis, the country's poorest renters are finally seeing better prospects for their housing needs. DePillis explains the findings of a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

"…after more than a decade of housing being out of reach for more and more low-income renters, the number of people with severe housing problems started to ease off between 2011 and 2013, according to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) analysis of those with severe housing needs."

The HUD report counted people with "worst case housing needs." In other words they meet all three of the following criteria: 1) income lower than 50 percent of the area median income, 2) rental costs totaling more than half their income, and 3) no housing subsidies. The article includes some discussion of why fewer people are meeting those criteria.

According to DePillis, HUD is careful to note that the country still has an affordable housing problem, though hopefully this data means the country is turning a corner.

Monday, May 4, 2015 in The Washington Post - Wonkblog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight