Successful housing and community development strategies must be comprehensive and linked to sound economic policies. Successful community development expands economic opportunities; creates vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit; preserves the unique character of communities; and safeguards environmental resources.

Unfortunately, federal resources for housing programs continue to decline just as home foreclosures reach record highs and programs such as the Community Development Block Grant remain underfunded. More and more low-income and middle-income families are being squeezed out of the housing market in many cities. Today, one in seven (17 million U.S. families) pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing, and 2.1 million households live in severely inadequate housing. Approximately three-quarters of a million people are homeless on any given night.

Housing stability is critical to build success in employment, education, family skills, and healthy lifestyles. Such stability is achieved through an adequate supply of quality affordable housing and incentives for community development.

To assist cities and towns in meeting their housing and community development goals, the federal government must support increased investment in federal housing and community development programs, as well as effective incentives for private-sector participation.

Visit our Candidate Issue Matrix to find out where the candidates stand on Community Revitalization & Affordable Housing.