The lack of affordable housing is a growing issue in the United States. Currently, more than a quarter of renter households spend over half of their income on rent. Some of these severely cost-burdened renters have very low incomes and are disproportionately more likely to be individuals with disabilities and families with young children. Housing instability in any form — difficulty paying rent, spending the bulk of household income on housing, overcrowded living conditions, moving frequently, eviction, unsafe housing, or homelessness — can have a significant negative effect on youth and families’ well-being in both the short and long term. To address the dynamic and multifaceted natures of poverty, homelessness, and housing instability as well as to accelerate access to concrete supports, dismantle systemic inequities, and mitigate barriers to healthy living, individuals and families with low incomes need access to safe, stable, and affordable housing bolstered by wraparound supportive services.

Program Summary

The Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration program provides federal funding to community action agencies (CAAs) and Tribes that received Community Services Block Grant funding in FY23 and own their own affordable housing units. Award recipients are using funds to strengthen, expand, and enhance wraparound supportive services available to affordable housing residents to increase stability, economic mobility, and well-being. These services may include educational opportunities for youths and adults; afterschool or summer programs for children and teens; early child care, Head Start, Early Head Start, or other early childhood education programs and opportunities for young children ages 0 to 5; older adult care services; mental health, alcohol, and addiction services; services for individuals with disabilities; self-sufficiency resources; resources on future homeownership; financial literacy training; transportation services for residents; referrals and connections to resources to help meet concrete needs; and health care services.