The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has achieved significant milestones in its rental assistance programs, reaffirming its commitment to provide affordable housing for American families, HUD announced in a release.
These accomplishments align with the Biden-Harris administration’s steadfast efforts to address the nation’s housing crisis. Since day one, President Biden and Vice President Harris have prioritized expanding access to affordable housing through a number of actions, which included strengthening the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The Honorable Adrianne Todman discussed the agency’s achievements today during an event with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
“HUD’s rental assistance programs are not just about providing people with an affordable place to live – they are also addressing a critical issue facing this country, high housing costs.” Todman said in the release. “I am proud that this Administration fought for and received additional rental assistance resources, the most in 20 years. We also made strides to strengthen this voucher program.”
In September, HUD commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, the largest rental assistance initiative in the country. Since its inception in 1974, the HCV program has helped millions of families access affordable housing options in communities of their choice.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, HUD has awarded more than 120,000 new incremental housing vouchers –the largest increase in vouchers in 20 years– including new Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Family Unification Program/Foster Youth to Independence, Mainstream, Stability Vouchers, and Emergency Housing Vouchers.
Other key accomplishments HUD has made under the Housing Choice Voucher program include:
- Since 2023, HUD has awarded or made available over $77 million in funds to prevent homelessness among youth aging out of the foster care system.
- Served almost 90,000 veterans through the VASH program. This is the most veterans served at any point in the program’s history.
- Established flexibilities to help people locate apartments, and increased collaboration with landlords across the country.
- Incorporated private rental data to ensure vouchers could be used, in an ever-changing rental market.