America's Housing Crisis
The United States faces a shortage of 7.1 million affordable rental homes. This isn't just a housing problem—it's a public health emergency.
"If your home life is unstable, everything in your life is going to be unstable."
— Dr. Troy Nash, CEO, The Nash Group
7.1M
Homes Shortage
50%
Renters Burdened
771K
Homeless (2024)
18%
Rise in Homeless
35
Homes/100 ELI
Sources: NLIHC, Harvard JCHS, National Alliance to End Homelessness (2024-2025)
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 7.1 million rental homes affordable to extremely low-income renters. For every 100 ELI households, only 35 affordable homes exist.
Source: NLIHC, The Gap 2025
The Cost Burden
Nearly 50% of all renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing. Home prices up 26%, rents up 47% since 2020.
Source: Harvard JCHS, 2024-2025
Vanishing Affordability
Only 14% of rental housing rented for under $600 in 2023—a decline of 2.5 million affordable units in the last decade.
Source: Harvard JCHS, 2025
Rising Homelessness
In 2024, 771,480 people experienced homelessness—the highest number ever recorded. An 18% increase from prior year.
Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2025
77%
of Americans agree:
"America has a housing shortage, and we need more homes and rentals."
Source: Center for American Progress, 2024
The Crisis in Kansas City & Missouri
The national crisis hits close to home. Missouri and Kansas City face severe affordable housing shortages.
76%
Severely Cost-Burdened
of KC region ELI households pay 50%+ of income on rent
46K
Unit Shortage
affordable rentals needed in the KC region
115K
Missouri Shortage
affordable homes needed statewide
Missouri's Housing Wage Gap
To afford a 2-bedroom apartment in Missouri, a worker needs $18.54/hour. Minimum wage is only $12.30/hour—a gap of over $6/hour.
Kansas City: $19.23/hr needed
St. Louis: $18.77/hr needed
Minimum Wage: $12.30/hr actual
Source: NLIHC Out of Reach Report; MARC Regional Housing Partnership
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 drive 50% of health outcomes —more than genetics or healthcare access. Housing is among the most critical.
Housing instability is linked to higher rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression, and premature mortality.
Source: CDC Social Determinants of Health; NIH/PMC Research
Heart Disease
Higher risk from housing stress
Mental Health
Depression & anxiety increase
Healthcare Access
Unstable housing = delayed care
Mortality Risk
Higher premature death rates
50%
of Health Outcomes
driven by social determinants like housing
57%
Black Renter Households
are cost-burdened vs 46% white renters
29%
Health Improvement
from stable housing interventions
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 can afford only $274/month
Communities of Color
Disproportionate housing burdens
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
The Solution Exists
Americans overwhelmingly support building more affordable housing. The tools exist. What's needed is action.
What Americans Support
Build 3M+ new homes
80%
Permanently affordable
79%
Housing shortage exists
77%
Source: Center for American Progress, 2024
Proven Tools That Work
LIHTC Tax Credits
100,000+ affordable units created annually
Public-Private Partnerships
Government + private sector expertise
Health-Housing Integration
Better outcomes for residents
Community-Centered Design
Housing residents are proud to call home
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 nine advanced degrees including an MPH from Brown—drives every project we develop.
Where you start out has nothing to do with where you end up.
Learn Our StoryOur Impact
262+
Housing Units
$100M+
Development
100%
Affordable
30-60%
AMI Served
Building affordable housing across Kansas City and St. Louis.
Be Part of the Solution
The housing crisis demands action. Partner with The Nash Group to create affordable housing that transforms lives.
Data Sources & References
NLIHC
The Gap 2025 Report
Harvard JCHS
State of the Nation's Housing
CDC
Social Determinants of Health
Pew Research
Affordable Housing Report 2024
MARC
KC Regional Housing Partnership
National Alliance
State of Homelessness 2025