Demographics Dashboard
The housing crisis hits vulnerable populations hardest. Seniors, veterans, and families with children each face distinct challenges that require targeted solutions.
Senior Renters
👴7.3M
30% severely cost-burdened
Homeless Veterans
🎖️37K
12% increase from 2022
Burdened Families
👨👩👧👦10.5M
Families w/ children cost-burdened
Accessible Gap
♿3.5M
Senior-accessible units needed
Senior Renters
7.3 million senior renter households face growing affordability challenges
Senior Renter Cost Burden Trend
Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard
Key Senior Housing Challenges
- •30% severely burdened — paying over 50% of income on rent
- •3.5M unit shortage of accessible housing for seniors with mobility limitations
- •90% prefer aging in place but most housing stock lacks accessibility features
- •Section 202 funding for senior housing has been flat for a decade while the 65+ population surges
Veterans
Progress on veteran homelessness has stalled after a decade of gains
Veteran Homelessness Trend
Source: HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
Veteran Housing Programs
- •740K VA loans issued in 2023 — zero down payment, no PMI
- •110K HUD-VASH vouchers combining rental assistance with VA health care
- •SSVF program served 77K veterans in 2023, preventing homelessness through rapid re-housing
- •37K still homeless — a 12% increase from 2022, reversing years of progress
Families with Children
10.5 million families with children are cost-burdened
Cost Burden by Family Type
Source: American Community Survey, 2023
Key Family Housing Challenges
- •2.1M unit shortage of family-sized (3+ bedroom) affordable rentals
- •62% of single parents with 2+ kids are cost-burdened
- •11% school premium — homes in top-rated school districts cost 11% more
- •38% of child poverty is directly linked to housing cost burden