States receiving the most federal housing funding

Federal funding received by state: $148,000,000 ($46.82 per capita)
- State population: 3,161,105
- People on rental assistance: 41,500 (13.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 75%
- Median rent: $990 (15% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 142,500 (45.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

While Utah is relatively affordable to live in, there has been a rise in demand for inexpensive apartments. In many areas of the state, rents continue to climb, and one of the major sources of loans for Utah’s Affordable Housing projects—the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund—is starting to run low on cash. This jeopardizes the 41,500 residents who rely on rental assistance.

Federal funding received by state: $357,000,000 ($49.78 per capita)
- State population: 7,171,646
- People on rental assistance: 107,100 (14.9 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $1,020 (13% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 491,000 (68.5 out of every 1,000 residents)

As rents continue to rise in Arizona, residents’ wages are only just now starting to catch up, but there’s a lot to be made up for. Most of the federal subsidies are currently being allocated to homeownership subsidies, which exclude most low-income earners. Most recently, Arizona allocated $15 million to its Housing Trust Fund. It is one of the largest investments ever made in housing and homelessness that it’s seen in more than a decade.

Federal funding received by state: $94,000,000 ($53.59 per capita)
- State population: 1,754,208
- People on rental assistance: 31,200 (17.8 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 76%
- Median rent: $820 (9% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 71,400 (40.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

Idaho has a severe shortage of homes that are affordable to extremely low-income households, whose incomes are at or below the poverty line. This group makes up 24% of residents across Idaho. Currently there is a shortage of 23,348 affordable housing homes that are available to extremely low-income households.

Federal funding received by state: $199,000,000 ($68.35 per capita)
- State population: 2,911,505
- People on rental assistance: 62,800 (21.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 74%
- Median rent: $820 (5% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 157,800 (54.2 out of every 1,000 residents)

While housing costs continue to rise in Kansas, state wages have yet to catch up. This leaves 30% of low-income households paying more than 50% of their wages toward rent. And with state funding limitations, many of these low-income households are still not receiving rental assistance.

Federal funding received by state: $2,074,000,000 ($72.26 per capita)
- State population: 28,701,845
- People on rental assistance: 631,000 (22.0 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $990 (13% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 1,924,600 (67.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

While undocumented immigrants have never qualified for housing assistance, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is changing its rules to state that if there is even one member of a household who is undocumented, that household may not apply for any assistance such as rent vouchers—or risk being evicted. Mixed-status families—who comprise 1% or less of those who get housing assistance in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio—might include undocumented parents with children who were born in the U.S.

While HUD's analysis claimed the change means $179 million to $210 million more each year going to citizens instead of mixed-status families, critics say the money doesn't come as actual benefits but rather as prorated rental rates based on the number of documented tenants.

Federal funding received by state: $42,000,000 ($72.70 per capita)
- State population: 577,737
- People on rental assistance: 9,800 (17.0 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 74%
- Median rent: $830 (29% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 25,400 (44.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

As of 2016, Wyoming’s federal housing funding has been extended in the form of grants to the tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation. They received $3.8 million to put toward creating more affordable housing for the low-income families of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. This was a boon for a critical population group in Wyoming that is often neglected.

Federal funding received by state: $232,000,000 ($73.51 per capita)
- State population: 3,156,145
- People on rental assistance: 71,300 (22.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 75%
- Median rent: $760 (4% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 128,400 (40.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

Iowans, facing many of the same issues that come with rising home costs as other states, are navigating a crisis of Section 8 voucher discrimination. For residents to keep their rent to less than 30% of their incomes, the government has a limited amount of vouchers to cover the remainder of the rent for low-income households. While residents are already facing a deficiency of these vouchers, those lucky enough to receive them are being discriminated against by landlords who are reluctant to accept rent applications with Section 8 vouchers.

Federal funding received by state: $442,000,000 ($76.03 per capita)
- State population: 5,813,568
- People on rental assistance: 131,400 (22.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 75%
- Median rent: $820 (0% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 306,000 (52.6 out of every 1,000 residents)

Housing discrimination isn’t an issue that’s restricted to the state of Iowa. Because of this rampant issue, this year HUD awarded an additional $15 million to many states, including $250,000 to Wisconsin, to promote fair housing. The grants will go toward the work of fair-housing organizations that will guard residents against discrimination.

Federal funding received by state: $231,000,000 ($76.13 per capita)
- State population: 3,034,392
- People on rental assistance: 59,000 (19.4 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $1,050 (1% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 224,600 (74.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

As this presidential administration has pushed through more housing funding cuts, the existing crop of public housing in states like Nevada have gone into disrepair. Because of this, HUD has turned to private companies to assist and fund renovations of public-housing complexes. In return, private companies receive a tax cut. While the actual results of this program are unclear, it is a creative solution to better public housing for the state’s residents.

Federal funding received by state: $152,000,000 ($78.79 per capita)
- State population: 1,929,268
- People on rental assistance: 53,800 (27.9 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $800 (7% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 92,500 (47.9 out of every 1,000 residents)

Nebraska is facing the same issues as many states and federal funding for housing, including a shortage of low-income housing and public housing falling into disrepair. Recently the state received a grant for affordable public housing in tribal communities.

Federal funding received by state: $86,000,000 ($80.96 per capita)
- State population: 1,062,305
- People on rental assistance: 26,000 (24.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $760 (12% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 50,400 (47.4 out of every 1,000 residents)

The Montana Medical Marijuana Act was approved in 2004, allowing residents to obtain marijuana if they have a state-issued medical marijuana card. However, because regulation of this act has been placed under the Housing Authority in the city of Billings, affordable housing applicants are being discriminated against for having a medical marijuana card. While this is a unique issue, it also prevents low-income residents with disabilities from obtaining affordable housing for themselves and has become a controversial issue.

Federal funding received by state: $173,000,000 ($82.56 per capita)
- State population: 2,095,428
- People on rental assistance: 55,500 (26.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $810 (11% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 123,000 (58.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

More than 10,000 children in New Mexico live in unstable households, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. And like with many other states, the budgets for federally funded housing are tight. While the state has experienced some gains with grants for funding housing for tribal communities, there is still a clear disparity of housing for the neediest of the population with 40% of low-income residents left homeless or paying over half their wages for rent.

Federal funding received by state: $874,000,000 ($84.17 per capita)
- State population: 10,383,620
- People on rental assistance: 263,000 (25.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 69%
- Median rent: $860 (4% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 655,500 (63.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

After North Carolina was battered by two “500-year storms” in just three years, FEMA in October 2019 denied individual assistance to residents in four counties hit by Hurricane Dorian. The money was requested by Gov. Roy Cooper to cover uninsured expenses for households, such as lodging reimbursement or repairs.

Federal funding received by state: $1,793,000,000 ($84.18 per capita)
- State population: 21,299,325
- People on rental assistance: 451,000 (21.2 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $1,130 (16% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 1,666,000 (78.2 out of every 1,000 residents)

Florida is facing a number of challenges when it comes to affordable housing across its many regions. While rising costs in Miami are pricing out many of its residents because of insufficient affordable housing, the residents of the panhandle are still coping with the severe damages of Hurricane Michael.

Federal funding received by state: $565,000,000 ($84.43 per capita)
- State population: 6,691,878
- People on rental assistance: 171,900 (25.7 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $790 (1% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 384,100 (57.4 out of every 1,000 residents)

In September of this year, congressman Trey Hollingsworth backed a housing affordability bill that would create safe and stable housing for families across Indiana. This bill would be an effort to rectify some of the red tape that has become associated with building much needed affordable housing. These issues also show racial fissures in the state. Brookings Institute's research reports that in the Indianapolis/Carmel/Anderson regions, black homes are devalued by about $19,000 compared to homes that are similar in other neighborhoods. In 2017, the white homeownership rate was 64.1%, while black homeownership in the same year was 33.3%.

Federal funding received by state: $344,000,000 ($87.24 per capita)
- State population: 3,943,079
- People on rental assistance: 104,400 (26.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $780 (9% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 224,700 (57.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

A new report from Apartment List shows that rent in Oklahoma is up 0.8% from 2018. This is also following three consecutive months of rent increases this year. With rents where they currently are, metro residents would have to work 60 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom apartment.

Federal funding received by state: $455,000,000 ($89.49 per capita)
- State population: 5,084,127
- People on rental assistance: 143,200 (28.2 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $850 (8% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 301,400 (59.3 out of every 1,000 residents)

The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority in September 2019 approved $7.3 million in funding for 40 affordable-housing units, with money coming from HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the SC Housing Trust Fund, and the National Housing Trust Fund. The homes will include single- and multi-family units and is part of South Carolina Housing’s Small Rental Development Program, founded in 2018 to combat the state’s shortage of affordable housing that is estimated to cost South Carolina $8 billion every year.

Federal funding received by state: $525,000,000 ($92.18 per capita)
- State population: 5,695,564
- People on rental assistance: 124,600 (21.9 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $1,240 (22% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 362,800 (63.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

Three bills passed in Colorado in 2019 are expected to infuse the state’s affordable housing budget with an additional $82 million annually, according to reporting from the Denver Post. That funding is designed to offer housing options for Colorado’s ballooning population, which gained 80,000 people or 1.4% of its total population between 2017 and 2018; while Denver alone has jumped by 20% since 2010.

Federal funding received by state: $71,000,000 ($93.41 per capita)
- State population: 760,077
- People on rental assistance: 29,000 (38.2 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $790 (27% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 34,600 (45.5 out of every 1,000 residents)

Like many other states, North Dakota is burdened with the underfunding of affordable housing for its residents, especially in metro areas. The need for affordable senior housing is also on the rise. With the aging of baby boomers, the population of residents aged 65 and older is expected to grow by nearly 60,000, or 52%, by 2019 according to research by North Dakota State University.

Federal funding received by state: $291,000,000 ($96.56 per capita)
- State population: 3,013,825
- People on rental assistance: 97,200 (32.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $710 (1% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 160,700 (53.3 out of every 1,000 residents)

The 1968 federal Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination in providing housing based on race, disability, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin. The HUD gave Arkansas nonprofit Legal Aid a grant for $281, 396 to help fight against cases where the Fair Housing Act is not being upheld. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority has also received a grant from the National Housing Trust Fund in the amount of $7,500,000 to put toward developing affordable housing for extremely low-income veterans.

Federal funding received by state: $598,000,000 ($97.61 per capita)
- State population: 6,126,452
- People on rental assistance: 176,800 (28.9 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $800 (5% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 331,300 (54.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

Earlier this month, Missouri received a federal funding boost to put toward local housing efforts. Four organizations, including the Community Services League, received counseling grants that they use to aid in creating stability for residents—mediating situations between tenants and landlords. In total, the organizations received $247,685 to help with Missouri’s affordable housing deficiencies.

Federal funding received by state: $1,035,000,000 ($98.39 per capita)
- State population: 10,519,475
- People on rental assistance: 301,800 (28.7 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 67%
- Median rent: $960 (2% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 747,100 (71.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

Like many states, one of the largest issues facing Georgia’s affordable housing is the lead-based paint that is still in many of the older buildings. To help repair this for the safety of the residents, HUD awarded a grant of $3.3 million to Georgia to remove lead and other health hazards. Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, investors can also receive tax benefits for investing in distressed areas.

Federal funding received by state: $87,000,000 ($98.61 per capita)
- State population: 882,235
- People on rental assistance: 26,000 (29.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 74%
- Median rent: $720 (9% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 40,900 (46.4 out of every 1,000 residents)

In 1996, the Governor’s House Program was created for South Dakota low-income residents as a way to provide reasonably-sized affordable housing. The program has built and sold over 2,000 homes to South Dakota’s elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income families.

Federal funding received by state: $989,000,000 ($98.94 per capita)
- State population: 9,995,915
- People on rental assistance: 272,900 (27.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $840 (2% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 566,100 (56.6 out of every 1,000 residents)

Michigan is taking a creative approach to solving its housing needs. Michigan Medicine created the HomeShare program this year to create a solution for low-income elderly residents. This program pairs elderly residents with other, able individuals who can provide companionship and assistance as well as decreasing the cost for both individuals. Additionally $1.2 million dollars has been granted to Hamtramck in Wayne County where new homes will be built for refugees. The block of three houses, containing two units each will be able to accommodate six families and will be named Freedom Village.

Federal funding received by state: $672,000,000 ($99.26 per capita)
- State population: 6,770,010
- People on rental assistance: 218,700 (32.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 69%
- Median rent: $830 (10% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 400,300 (59.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

Tennessee is also seeking ways to make increasing affordable housing more efficient. Nashville has found that the best method is by restoring houses that have already been built. Not only is the practice economical and environmentally friendly, but it also preserves the historical architecture of the city. To date, the program, Rebuilding Together, has repaired more than 500 homes in Nashville.

Federal funding received by state: $427,000,000 ($101.89 per capita)
- State population: 4,190,713
- People on rental assistance: 115,700 (27.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 71%
- Median rent: $1,080 (20% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 292,800 (69.9 out of every 1,000 residents)

Unfortunately, the landscape of affordable housing is in a grim state. In 2019, the residents of an affordable apartment complex in Bend received news that their low-income units are slated to be demolished and replaced with market-rate units. Sadly, there is also a crisis of residents losing their homes to foreclosure. Fortunately the Foreclosure Assistance Program is designed to help with that issue, assisting residents out of default on their reverse mortgages. To date, the program has been able to assist nearly all of the applicants so far.

Federal funding received by state: $869,000,000 ($102.02 per capita)
- State population: 8,517,685
- People on rental assistance: 217,800 (25.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $1,180 (20% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 494,000 (58.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

In 2019, the residents of Richmond received a federal grant to help with homebuyers, homeowners, and renters in the amount of $1.2 million. The fund will help families trying to buy homes, avoiding foreclosure, or seeking an affordable home to rent. This grant is part of a $42.8 million grant across states to help with the housing issues in this country.

Federal funding received by state: $76,000,000 ($103.06 per capita)
- State population: 737,438
- People on rental assistance: 19,000 (25.8 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $1,200 (14% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 42,000 (57.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

Due to the diversity of housing needs in Alaska, they’ve chosen to address them with a number of different programs. These include programs for seniors and those needing accessible living, families displaced by domestic violence or sexual assault, homeless individuals, foster care youth that are aging out, and many more. However, residents received the unfortunate news that 16 communities served by Rural Alaska Community Action Program will be losing access to energy-saving services. Due to the 2020 State Capital Budget cuts, the defunding of these services will undercut the state’s efforts in protecting vulnerable populations by compromising the health and safety of Alaskans.

Federal funding received by state: $819,000,000 ($108.68 per capita)
- State population: 7,535,591
- People on rental assistance: 202,100 (26.8 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $1,220 (25% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 474,300 (62.9 out of every 1,000 residents)

In a wild turn of events, Washington publication Cecil Whig obtained documents from Housing and Urban Development officials in Cecil County alleging that Elkton Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Osborne has embezzled about $50,000 in federal housing funds. But in better news, three communities received a significant grant of $10.5 million to help with housing infrastructure such as sewer systems, community facilities, and treatment plants.

Federal funding received by state: $633,000,000 ($112.81 per capita)
- State population: 5,611,179
- People on rental assistance: 200,600 (35.8 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $940 (6% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 261,600 (46.6 out of every 1,000 residents)

Like much of the nation's problems with affordable housing, federally funded buildings in Minnesota are showing their age to the detriment of their residents. Minnesota was also awarded an $8.9 million grant by HUD to tackle the issue of lead-based paint that plagues the affordable housing system. The state legislature has also awarded $10 million to be allocated toward the repair of 15 affordable housing developments this year. This includes fixing drafty windows, ridding houses of asbestos and lead-based paint, and demolishing unsafe exterior decks.

Federal funding received by state: $521,000,000 ($116.60 per capita)
- State population: 4,468,402
- People on rental assistance: 166,100 (37.2 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $720 (7% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 273,300 (61.2 out of every 1,000 residents)

The homelessness in Kentucky has reached a high with over 4,000 homeless people according to a 2019 report by K-Count. Of this count, only 13% were classified as chronically homeless. The remaining 87% were residents who couldn’t afford rent. In an effort to aid with homelessness as a result of the opioid crisis, an agency named Transitions in Northern Kentucky received a $180,000 federal grant to provide recovering housing to those struggling with addiction.

Federal funding received by state: $223,000,000 ($123.49 per capita)
- State population: 1,805,832
- People on rental assistance: 66,300 (36.7 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $690 (17% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 97,200 (53.8 out of every 1,000 residents)

The federal census is an essential part of the federal funding process, as its results determine the amount of funding each state will receive for its various needs—including federal funding for affordable housing. This year, West Virginia will be doing the majority of their counting through an online questionnaire, which is extremely restrictive to many residents in the state who lack access to a computer or internet. This method of counting threatens the federal funding that the state could receive, and could potentially severely disrupt the housing programs in place currently.

Federal funding received by state: $614,000,000 ($125.62 per capita)
- State population: 4,887,871
- People on rental assistance: 196,100 (40.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $750 (13% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 290,000 (59.3 out of every 1,000 residents)

Alabama was hit hard during Hurricane Michael in 2018 and its population is still suffering from the aftermath. Many homeowners are still displaced and the state is working to create more affordable housing to make it easier on renters and potential homeowners. For homeowners that were hit hard, HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program helped people with damaged houses finance repairs.

Federal funding received by state: $124,000,000 ($128.21 per capita)
- State population: 967,171
- People on rental assistance: 28,100 (29.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $1,090 (16% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 55,200 (57.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

In just 16 years, Delaware’s median rent has skyrocketed to over $1,000 a month, a 16% increase. Meanwhile, median income has gone in the exact opposite direction, declining 16%. This gap means over 55,000 low-income residents face exorbitant rent rates that consume over 50% of their wages.

Federal funding received by state: $1,749,000,000 ($136.57 per capita)
- State population: 12,807,060
- People on rental assistance: 406,700 (31.8 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 72%
- Median rent: $890 (13% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 794,800 (62.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

Pennsylvania is another state that was awarded a sizable grant to put toward housing with lead-based paint. The grant amounts to $1.56 million and will help a total of 200 homes. The state itself is also putting efforts toward making first-time home-buying more accessible. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency partners with housing lenders and brokers to offer competitive loans with lower interest rates.

Federal funding received by state: $1,606,000,000 ($137.39 per capita)
- State population: 11,689,442
- People on rental assistance: 447,300 (38.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $770 (0% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 710,100 (60.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

Ohio has a good amount of new grant money flowing into its housing funds. The Ohio Development Services Agency awarded more than $21 million to 31 communities throughout the state. This amount will help residents repair and construct affordable housing and provide rental assistance.

Federal funding received by state: $412,000,000 ($137.95 per capita)
- State population: 2,986,530
- People on rental assistance: 135,400 (45.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 67%
- Median rent: $740 (8% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 185,200 (62 out of every 1,000 residents)

Mississippi is another state stuck in the trap of growing housing costs—median rent is up 8% since 2001—and declining wages with median renter household income down 8%. In September 2019, the Mississippi Housing Partnership received a boost in the form of a $31,000 grant from BancorpSouth Bank, BankPlus, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to revitalize low-income housing in Jackson.

Federal funding received by state: $198,000,000 ($145.97 per capita)
- State population: 1,356,458
- People on rental assistance: 38,700 (28.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 79%
- Median rent: $1,070 (9% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 66,400 (49.0 out of every 1,000 residents)

This month HUD gave a $176,256 housing grant to New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to go toward counselling services to assist families to make informed housing decisions. Additionally, the U.S. Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women awarded monet to two Manchester organizations that will put it toward providing transitional housing, place survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in transitional housing, as well as find open beds for people in unsafe situations.

Federal funding received by state: $5,798,000,000 ($146.57 per capita)
- State population: 39,557,045
- People on rental assistance: 1,062,400 (26.9 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 67%
- Median rent: $1,450 (27% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 3,973,000 (100.4 out of every 1,000 residents)

In California, the key housing crisis is with the amount of homelessness throughout the state. While President Trump and Ben Carson have publicly promised federal action to intervene in California’s homelessness crisis, they have also been rejecting requests from local officials for further aid. In Los Angeles, where homelessness is at an all-time high, the latest proposal from Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and City Councilman Joe Buscaino is to have the governor declare a state of emergency on homelessness in the state.

Federal funding received by state: $717,000,000 ($153.86 per capita)
- State population: 4,659,978
- People on rental assistance: 205,500 (44.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 69%
- Median rent: $840 (10% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 356,900 (76.6 out of every 1,000 residents)

In October 2019, Louisiana's voters decide on four constitutional amendments, one of which will affect affordable housing in New Orleans. This could potentially create a residential property tax exemption in exchange for affordable rents. This would incentivize people to provide affordable housing. This could be applied to owner-occupied homes, rental homes, or apartments.

Federal funding received by state: $2,131,000,000 ($167.25 per capita)
- State population: 12,741,080
- People on rental assistance: 440,400 (34.6 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 66%
- Median rent: $970 (5% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 875,800 (68.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

The state of Illinois received an $11.3 million grant from HUD, almost half of which was awarded to Peoria, to go toward lead abatement and home safety. Additionally, the state’s tax policies are hindering housing prices from rising.

Federal funding received by state: $241,000,000 ($169.66 per capita)
- State population: 1,420,491
- People on rental assistance: 56,000 (39.4 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 66%
- Median rent: $1,570 (40% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 117,600 (82.8 out of every 1,000 residents)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development granted Hawaii $3.9 million as emergency relief funds to repair homes that were affected by the 2018’s Kilauea eruption, earthquakes, and lava-flow damage. On top of that, the state received $780,000 to repair the state’s federal lands due to the eruption.

Federal funding received by state: $1,089,000,000 ($180.22 per capita)
- State population: 6,042,718
- People on rental assistance: 199,900 (33.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 69%
- Median rent: $1,340 (31% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 389,500 (64.5 out of every 1,000 residents)

Though the Trump administration tried to end a grant that funds Baltimore’s extermination program under the Community Development Block Grant, congress fought it and won. The grant funded $350,000 worth of rat abatement last year. The threat of the city’s rat infestation infringes on the residents’ rights to decent and affordable housing.

Federal funding received by state: $113,000,000 ($180.43 per capita)
- State population: 626,299
- People on rental assistance: 23,400 (37.4 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 76%
- Median rent: $950 (16% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 30,700 (49 out of every 1,000 residents)

In Vermont, there are trends of mixing state, federal, and private funding to develop new affordable housing for its residents. This has been the case in Richmond, as well as many of Vermont’s small downtowns. This collaboration of resources has also been the strategy for opening the new transit center and housing complex in Montpelier.

Federal funding received by state: $249,000,000 ($186.04 per capita)
- State population: 1,338,404
- People on rental assistance: 52,700 (39.4 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 76%
- Median rent: $810 (7% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 47,800 (35.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

One of the state's poorest towns, Lewiston received a $1.3 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant to help redevelop their downtown. And Maine is yet another case of affordable housing tainted by lead-based paint with $15 million awarded to the entire state to help mitigate the issue. Lead poisoning is a serious concern for families in affordable housing who don't have the means to fund costly lead abatement programs.

Federal funding received by state: $1,718,000,000 ($192.85 per capita)
- State population: 8,908,520
- People on rental assistance: 315,700 (35.4 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 68%
- Median rent: $1,280 (16% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 682,200 (76.6 out of every 1,000 residents)

In an effort to alleviate the lack of affordable housing in New Jersey, in 2019 the state received $3 million for low-income housing in Newark from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Unfortunately the hurdles for the state don’t stop there. Newark is also dealing with lead contaminated drinking water, to which Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez say they will be pushing for funding to fix in the coming months.

Federal funding received by state: $851,000,000 ($238.20 per capita)
- State population: 3,572,665
- People on rental assistance: 162,700 (45.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 66%
- Median rent: $1,130 (11% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 256,900 (71.9 out of every 1,000 residents)

To help with the housing concerns of Connecticut, the Connecticut housing tax credit contribution is designed to help with housing programs, including homeownership, supportive housing, workforce housing, and rentals. The program allocates up to $10 million annually in tax credits to nonprofit entities that develop extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income housing.

Federal funding received by state: $335,000,000 ($316.84 per capita)
- State population: 1,057,315
- People on rental assistance: 63,800 (60.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 75%
- Median rent: $940 (12% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 66,900 (63.3 out of every 1,000 residents)

Great news has hit Charleston with the opening of an affordable housing development known as Shannock Falls. The developers were mindful to keep the architecture of the development consistent with the historic architecture of the surrounding area. The development is able to house 43 low-income families and was funded by Gov. Gina Raimondo’s $40 million housing bond.

Federal funding received by state: $6,234,000,000 ($319.00 per capita)
- State population: 19,542,209
- People on rental assistance: 1,218,400 (62.3 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 63%
- Median rent: $1,230 (25% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 2,034,100 (104.1 out of every 1,000 residents)

In October 2019, New York’s Southampton Town debuted the town’s first multifamily affordable rental complex. The lack of affordable housing in Long Island has been a long-standing issue. Meanwhile in New York City, due to a recent change in the law, NYCHA is hoping to transition from its regular public-housing funding to Section 8 vouchers—a much more dependable and robust funding program. By doing this, it could do away with the lag in funding keeping many older buildings from being maintained properly.

Federal funding received by state: $2,261,000,000 ($327.58 per capita)
- State population: 6,902,149
- People on rental assistance: 375,900 (54.5 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 70%
- Median rent: $1,210 (12% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 494,800 (71.7 out of every 1,000 residents)

In Massachusetts, the implementation of facial recognition technology in public housing has faced backlash. The technology is intended to be a safety measure, but critics say that this could potentially ensnare innocent people into accusations of crime. Currently the federal government has no regulations on facial recognition technology, nor does HUD.

Federal funding received by state: $442,000,000 ($629.22 per capita)
- State population: 702,455
- People on rental assistance: 85,800 (122.1 out of every 1,000 residents)
--- Assisted people who are children, seniors, or have a disability: 60%
- Median rent: $1,500 (61% increase in rent since 2001)
- Low-income earners paying over 50% of income on housing: 76,200 (108.5 out of every 1,000 residents)

And the #1 state to receive the most federal housing funding per capita is Washington D.C. The country’s capital is getting creative by creating partnerships with nonprofit developers to fund affordable housing, including a partnership with United Bank. In the metropolitan area, there is an acute need for more affordable housing with the hasty gentrification of a growing number of neighborhoods.

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