34% Of Low-Income People With High-Rent Burden Have Severe Psychological Distress

More low-income people with a high rent burden (housing costs of more than 30% of income) on a waitlist for housing assistance reported severe psychological distress than people receiving rental assistance, at 34% compared to 25%. Among people who were not receiving rental assistance or on a waitlist, about 21.5% were experiencing psychological distress. Those who transitioned from a waiting list to rental assistance reported a decrease in psychological distress.

During 2017 through 2021, over 40% of renter households in the United States spent more than 30% of income on housing costs, including mortgage payments, utilities, and other . . .