People cannot be denied a place to live based on their race or disability in Michigan, but some are being turned down based on where they get the money to pay their rent. Veterans using assistance, retirees on Social Security, parents who get child support or families who use housing vouchers are not protected by anti-discrimination laws. All can be denied rental opportunities even though they have consistent income. .
Rent for New Mexicans has increased 70% since 2017, while wages have only grown by 15%, which is one factor pushing more people into homelessness. The state s Legislative Finance Committee reviewed a report this week, which showed nearly half of renters are cost-burdened and pay more than a third of their income on housing. Kathleen Gygi, program evaluator for the Legislative Finance Committee, said new data showed the state s emergency shelter capacity has more than doubled in the past seven years, while the supply of affordable rental units has declined by 50% since 2020. .
A housing discrimination case in North Dakota dealing with occupancy standards has resulted in a settlement, and advocates say it underscores the challenges families face in maintaining stable housing when access is scarce. The High Plains Fair Housing Center announced this week Affordable Housing Developers Incorporated has agreed to pay $100,000 over a claim from a working mother from Mandan. The woman, who did not want to be publicly identified, said she was forced to vacate her townhome after updating her lease to note the recent birth of her fifth child. .
AARP Iowa is working to raise awareness of loans and grants the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making available to very low-income seniors for home repairs and improvements, known as the 504 Home Repair Program. Theresa Greenfield, Iowa rural development director for the U.S. .
An eviction prevention program is working to ensure evictions do not happen in the first place. The United Way of King County has provided $500,000 of flexible funding as aid for more than 1,000 affordable housing units across the county. It is a partnership with the affordable housing developer HNN Communities. .