Affordable Housing Crisis Intensifies Across U.S.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has halted its federal housing voucher program, leaving approximately 85,000 individuals on the waitlist, with over 5,000 identifying as homeless. The pause is attributed to inconsistent federal funding and rising rental costs, exacerbating the challenges faced by those like Khrystena Humber, who fears returning to homelessness. Meanwhile, across the U.S., affordable housing units are at risk of expiration due to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which has allowed rents to increase significantly after a 30-year affordability period. In Los Angeles, Marina Maalouf's rent skyrocketed from $1,100 to $2,660, highlighting the precarious situation for many low-income tenants. As many as 223,000 affordable units could disappear in the next five years, pushing vulnerable families into further hardship. The potential loss of these units comes at a time when the need for affordable housing is critical, prompting urgent calls for policy changes to preserve and expand low-income housing options.