Affordable Housing Shortage Hits Critical: 7.2 Million Rental Units Missing Nationwide
A major new report finds a devastating gap—only 35 affordable homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. No state meets demand, with California facing a shortage of nearly one million units.
Scale of the Affordability Crisis
A new report finds a national shortage of 7.2 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renter households—those with incomes at or below the poverty level or 30% of their area median income—resulting in just 35 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households nationwide. No state has an adequate supply of affordable rental housing for the lowest-income renters.
The crisis is most acute in large metros and California. Shortages of affordable and available homes range from 7,154 in South Dakota to nearly one million in California. In 13 of the country's 50 largest metropolitan areas, the absolute shortage of affordable and available homes exceeds 100,000 units.
Why It Matters for Your Housing Search
If you're arriving in the US on a limited or moderate budget, this report highlights why affordable housing will be extremely difficult to find in major cities. Competition is fierce, waiting lists are long, and many landlords prefer high-income tenants with strong credit histories. Consider exploring secondary cities and mid-sized metros—particularly in the Midwest and parts of the South—where inventory is comparatively better and cost burdens more manageable. Rural or regional hubs with lower living costs may offer more accessible pathways to stable housing while you establish yourself in the country.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
