A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that as existing federal rental assistance only reaches one-in-four eligible households, states and cities have strengthened efforts around their own rental assistance. Through qualitative research, CBPP documents that state and local rental assistance efforts are generally targeted at populations served by existing health and human services programs, with most funds coming from general revenue sources (rather than specific dedicated funds, like a fee or tax). The authors conclude that this kind of assistance isn’t necessarily adequate for meeting the need for affordable housing but helps fill the gap (particularly for special populations in need).
