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The Facts

ETWDC Data & Resources Center

A quick look at America's housing challenges, and the tools communities use to meet them.

National Affordable Housing Snapshot

A quick look at America's housing challenges

Topic Current National Statistic Source
Affordable Housing Shortage 7.1 million affordable rental homes are needed for extremely low-income households. NLIHC, The Gap (2025)
Housing Availability Only 35 affordable rental homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. NLIHC, The Gap (2025)
Severe Cost Burden 75% of extremely low-income renters spend more than half of their income on housing. NLIHC, The Gap (2025)
Housing Wage A worker must earn $33.63/hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental home. NLIHC, Out of Reach (2025)
Minimum Wage Reality The average minimum-wage worker must work 116 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. NLIHC, Out of Reach (2025)
Workforce Challenge At least 60% of full-time wage earners cannot afford a modest two-bedroom rental at fair market rent. NLIHC, Out of Reach (2025)
Research

Housing & Community Development

Affordable Housing

  • 7.1 million affordable homes are missing nationwide for extremely low-income renters.
  • Nearly 87% of extremely low-income renters are housing cost-burdened.
  • Three out of four spend more than half their income on housing.

Source: NLIHC, The Gap and Out of Reach (2025)

Workforce Housing

  • National Housing Wage: $28.17/hour for a one-bedroom and $33.63/hour for a two-bedroom.
  • More than half of all U.S. wage earners cannot afford a modest one-bedroom apartment.
  • The median wage in 18 of America's 25 most common occupations is below the wage needed to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.

Source: NLIHC, Out of Reach (2025)

Housing Affordability

  • Housing is considered affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of its gross income on housing costs.
  • Millions of American households exceed this threshold, limiting their ability to pay for healthcare, transportation, education, and food.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Economic Development

Research consistently shows that affordable housing contributes to:

  • Higher workforce participation
  • Lower employee turnover
  • Stronger local economies
  • Improved educational outcomes
  • Better health outcomes
  • Increased neighborhood stability

Source: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies; HUD research

Community Partners

Faith-Based Housing

Did you know?

Thousands of churches nationwide own underutilized land that can be transformed into affordable housing while allowing congregations to continue their ministry.

ETWDC works alongside many churches and faith-based organizations. Nationwide, congregations are increasingly partnering with nonprofit and mission-driven developers to create:

  • Affordable housing
  • Senior housing
  • Workforce housing
  • Mixed-use community developments
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Community Revitalization

Research demonstrates that affordable housing investments:

  • Reduce neighborhood vacancy
  • Increase surrounding property stability
  • Improve public safety
  • Attract additional private investment
  • Strengthen local tax bases
Housing Finance

How affordable housing gets funded

Most affordable housing developments layer several of these sources together. ETWDC helps partners identify and assemble the right mix.

Faith-Based

Faith-Based Development Partnerships

Partnerships between congregations and mission-driven developers that put underutilized church land to work for the community.

Resource Library

Reports & Publications

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