Each year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) releases The Gap, a report measuring the availability of rental housing affordable to extremely low-income households.

The report uses data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS) to assess the affordable housing supply and housing cost burdens at the national, state, and metropolitan levels. It also highlights the demographics, work status, disability, and other characteristics of the extremely low-income households most affected by the national shortage of affordable rental homes.

Key Stats from the Report:

• 45.6 million renter households in the U.S.
• 10.9 million renters have extremely low incomes (about 1 in 4 renters)
• 51% of extremely low-income renters are seniors or individuals with disabilities
• 40% are in the labor force, attending school, or single-adult caregivers
• 42% of those in the labor force work 40+ hours per week

These figures underscore the pressing need for affordable housing to support this vulnerable population, especially considering the ongoing shortage of affordable and available rental homes.

Download the New Mexico Housing Profile by  clicking the image below

View the full report