"If your home life is unstable, everything in your life is going to be unstable."
Dr. Troy Nash, CEO, The Nash Group
Sources: NLIHC, The Gap 2026; Harvard JCHS, State of the Nation’s Housing 2026; National Alliance to End Homelessness (2025)
The National Picture
A Crisis Decades in the Making
Years of underbuilding, rising costs, and stagnant wages have created a perfect storm affecting millions of American families.
The Supply Gap
The U.S. has a shortage of 7.2 million rental homes affordable to extremely low-income renters. For every 100 ELI households, only 35 affordable homes exist.
Source: NLIHC, The Gap 2026
The Cost Burden
In 2024, 22.7 million renter households, 49 percent, were cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing. Since 2020, home prices are up 54% and apartment asking rents are up 29%.
Source: Harvard JCHS, State of the Nation’s Housing 2026
Vanishing Affordability
Units renting for under $600 a month fell 30% in ten years, from 8.3 million in 2014 to 5.8 million in 2024.
Source: Harvard JCHS, State of the Nation’s Housing 2026
Rising Homelessness
In 2024, 771,480 people experienced homelessness, the highest number ever recorded. An 18% increase from prior year.
Sources: Harvard JCHS, State of the Nation’s Housing 2026; National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2025
"America has a housing shortage, and we need more homes and rentals."
Source: Center for American Progress survey, conducted by Data for Progress, 2024
Close to Home
The Crisis in Kansas City & Missouri
The national crisis hits close to home. Missouri and Kansas City face severe affordable housing shortages.
of KC region ELI households pay 50%+ of income on rent
rentals needed for extremely low-income renters in the KC region
rental homes needed statewide for extremely low-income renters
Source: NLIHC, The Gap 2024 (Kansas City, MO-KS metro and Missouri)
Missouri's Housing Wage Gap
To afford a 2-bedroom apartment in Missouri, a worker needs $22.19/hour. Minimum wage is $15.00/hour, a gap of over $7/hour (NLIHC Out of Reach 2026).
Source: NLIHC, Out of Reach 2026 (Missouri)
The Hidden Impact
Housing Is Healthcare
The CDC recognizes housing as a critical social determinant of health. Where you live directly impacts how long, and how well, you live.
What the Research Shows
Social determinants of health “have been shown to have a greater influence on health than either genetic factors or access to healthcare services,” according to the CDC. Housing is among the most critical.
The CDC lists housing among the social determinants of health.
Source: CDC, Social Determinants of Health; HHS, Healthy People 2030
are cost-burdened vs 46% white renters
units renting for under $600 a month in 2024, down from 8.3 million in 2014 (Harvard JCHS)
Real People, Real Impact
Who Is Affected?
The crisis hits some communities harder than others. These aren't statistics, they're our neighbors.
Seniors
Fixed incomes make rising rents devastating
Working Families
Full-time minimum wage can't afford rent
People with Disabilities
SSI recipients in Missouri can afford only $298/month in rent
Communities of Color
The American Dream Is Slipping Away: 87% of Gen Z and 62% of Millennials report they cannot afford to buy a home.
Source: Empower Missouri, 2025
There Is Hope
The Solution Exists
Americans overwhelmingly support building more affordable housing. The tools exist. What's needed is action.
What Americans Support
Build and repair 3M homes and rentals
77%
Proven Tools That Work
About 3.9 million units placed in service, 1987-2024 (HUD)
Public-Private Partnerships
Housing residents are proud to call home
Our Mission
Why The Nash Group Does This Work
Dr. Troy Nash grew up in Section 8 housing. He knows firsthand that when your home life is unstable, everything is unstable.
That lived experience, combined with eight degrees including an MPH from Brown, drives every project we develop.
Where you start out has nothing to do with where you end up.
Our Impact
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with an office in West Palm Beach, Florida. We work in markets across the country.
The Crisis Is Real. So Is the Solution.
More than seven million extremely low-income renter households lack an affordable home. We bring the lived experience, the credentials, and the development track record to help you deliver outcomes that families can feel.
Data Sources & References
Tell us what you are trying to build.
We develop, we advise, and we tell you the truth about which one you need.