Housing Affordability Needs Across New York State

Throughout New York State, there are over 2.8 million New York households that face housing costs that are thirty percent or more of their income which is above the benchmark for housing affordability. While rental and homeowner costs are generally higher in downstate regions, the challenge of affordability extends throughout New York State, as incomes elsewhere tend to be lower. Housing affordability can be elusive for New Yorkers in urban, suburban and rural settings alike. There is a Severe Shortage of Affordable Housing in New York State: According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New York State has a shortage of nearly 650,000 rental units affordable to very low-income households while 75 percent of very low-income households are cost burdened.