Rural communities face unique challenges when dealing with the affordable housing crisis. Because development does not generally occur at a large scales in rural areas, construction costs are often higher in rural communities compared to urban areas, which reduces the incentives for private investment. Additionally, a lack of access to credit in many rural areas limits funding for maintenance of existing units.
NLIHC works with our state and national partners to advocate for increased funding for USDA and HUD programs, particularly those that provide funding to non-profits that support the creation of affordable housing.
Memo to Members and Partners Articles
By NLIHC Policy Team NLIHC joined a national sign-on letter urging House and Senate housing committee leaders to ensure that the “Rural Housing Service (RHS) Reform Act” (“RHS Reform Act”) is maintained in the final version of the “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.” The “21st Century ROAD to…
By Kayla Blackwell, NLIHC Senior Housing Policy Analyst and Sarita Kelkar, NLIHC Policy Intern On February 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) published a final rule removing the required 30-day notice prior to eviction due to nonpayment of rent in…
By Kayla Blackwell, NLIHC Housing Policy Analyst and Sarita Kelkar, NLIHC Policy Intern The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is hosting its National Rural Housing Conference from November 4 to November 7, 2025, which includes the National Summit on Rural Homelessness on November 4, 2025…
By Alayna Calabro, NLIHC Senior Policy Analyst and San Kwon, NLIHC Policy Intern Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) reintroduced the bipartisan “Rural Housing Service Reform Act” (H.R.4957) on August 14. The bill—a companion to a bipartisan Senate bill of the same name…