How Do You Finance Affordable Housing?

Local governments are often asked to provide funding to help support the development of dedicated affordable housing, including multifamily rental housing dedicated to serving lower-income renter households. This module provides an overview of how multifamily rental housing is financed and the critical role public subsidies play in ensuring the viability of properties that charge rents affordable to lower-income households. Specifically, this section:

• Describes how multifamily rental housing is financed in the United States.
• Explains the important role that federal, state, and local government support plays in creating and operating affordable housing.
• Lists specific types of assistance used for affordable housing funding gaps.