The affordable housing gap has adverse consequences for low-income families trying to work. The demand for affordable housing is increasing and already far exceeds supply. Much of the current stock of affordable housing is located in places that have limited employment opportunities and are a long distance from centers of job growth. A growing body of research suggests that providing housing assistance to low-income families and enabling families to live closer to employment opportunities may help welfare recipients get and keep jobs. The reauthorization of welfare this year, and the consideration of major housing bills, provide opportunities to implement changes that would support these welfare policy goals. This brief offers a policy agenda to reduce the affordable housing gap, encourage location decisions that are more accessible to jobs, and support replication of housing strategies that appear to increase the likelihood of a successful transition from welfare to work.

A growing body of research suggests that providing housing assistance to low-income families and enabling families to move closer to employment opportunities may help welfare recipients get and keep jobs. The proposals outlined above are intended to reduce the affordable housing gap, encourage location decisions that are more accessible to jobs, and support replication of housing strategies that appear to increase the likelihood of a successful transition from welfare to work. The reauthorization of welfare this year, and the consideration of major housing bills, provide opportunities to implement changes that would support these welfare policy goals.