The affordable housing crisis in both the for-sale and rental markets is worsening, driven by supply shortages, rising costs, and insufficient policy responses.
Whether it’s in the for-sale or rental market, the affordable housing crisis is only getting worse.

The Affordable Housing Crisis in 2023: Where Do We Stand, and What are the Solutions? - Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
Source: kenaninstitute.unc.edu
Key Evidence
The U.S. GAO highlights that efforts to increase affordable housing supply have fallen short amid high interest rates and low inventory.
gao.govgao.govThe Affordable Housing Crisis Grows While Efforts to Increase Supply Fall Short
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities emphasizes the need for expanding rental assistance and adding new housing units to close the affordability gap.
cbpp.orgcbpp.orgAddressing the Affordable Housing Crisis Requires Expanding Rental Assistance...
Surveys from the Center for American Progress show that 80% of rural residents and 72% of urban residents believe housing affordability is worsening.
americanprogress.orgamericanprogress.orgAmericans Recognize Housing Affordability Crisis, Support New Policies To Fix...
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple authoritative sources confirm that the affordable housing crisis continues to deteriorate across the United States in both the for-sale and rental sectors. Key factors contributing to this worsening crisis include:
1. Supply Shortages: There is a significant shortage of affordable housing units, with millions of low-income renters lacking access to affordable homes. Efforts to increase supply have fallen short due to high construction costs, regulatory barriers, and limited funding.
2. Rising Costs: Housing prices and rents have been increasing faster than wage growth, making it increasingly difficult for many Americans to afford housing without spending a disproportionate share of their income.
3. Policy Gaps: While there are calls for expanding rental assistance programs and building more affordable units, current policies have not kept pace with the growing demand. Chronic underfunding and policy choices over decades have exacerbated the problem.
4. Public Recognition: Surveys show broad public awareness that housing affordability is worsening in both urban and rural communities.
Overall, the evidence clearly supports the claim that the affordable housing crisis is intensifying in both markets, necessitating comprehensive strategies including expanding rental assistance, increasing supply, and preserving existing affordable housing stock.