A new report released on June 27, 2025, by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals a troubling surge in unmet housing needs across the United States.
According to the study, 8.5 million very low-income renter households faced severe housing problems in 2021 without receiving any federal assistance—a record high since tracking began.
Housing Crisis Deepens for Low-Income Renters
The report defines “severe housing problems” as spending more than 50% of household income on rent and utilities or living in substandard housing conditions. Despite being eligible, millions of Americans are left without support due to limited federal resources and underfunded programs.
Currently, federal initiatives like Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits assist only 5.1 million households, leaving a gap of over 3.4 million unserved. Most recipients are families with children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities—groups especially vulnerable to housing instability.
Additionally, the number of cost-burdened homeowners—those spending more than 30% of income on housing—rose by 646,000 in 2024, reaching 20.3 million households, or 24% of all homeowners, according to Statista.
Funding Cuts and Rising Costs Threaten Stability
Experts warn that proposed reductions in federal housing budgets could push even more families into crisis. The report emphasizes that without increased investment, the gap between those in need and those receiving help will continue to grow.
“These programs are lifelines,” the authors note, “but they are already stretched thin.” Since 1991, the number of unassisted very low-income renter households has increased by 3.3 million, highlighting a long-term trend of underinvestment in affordable housing.
Meanwhile, home prices have surged 60% since 2019, and the median home price hit $412,500 in 2024—pricing out many first-time buyers and pushing more Americans into the rental market.
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