SSI Recipients Struggle to Find Affordable Housing Across the US

• Author: Mikko Rocco
• Posted: 2024-02-08

A recent report has revealed that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries face significant challenges in finding affordable housing across the United States.

With the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment exceeding the average SSI monthly payment of $983, SSI recipients are left struggling to make ends meet.

This article explores the findings of the report and sheds light on the housing crisis faced by individuals with disabilities who rely on SSI.

The report, titled "Priced Out," which is regularly updated by the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities, highlights the inability of SSI recipients to afford rental housing without additional support.

The data, compiled from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reveals that SSI beneficiaries aged 18 to 64 cannot find an apartment in any housing market in the US within their means.

Even in the most affordable rental market in the country, Dallas County, Missouri, rent for a one-bedroom or efficiency apartment would require 64% of a person's monthly SSI payment.

This leaves little room for other essential expenses, such as healthcare, food, and transportation.

The report underscores the dire impact of the lack of affordable housing and rental assistance for individuals with disabilities.

Lisa Sloane, a director at the Technical Assistance Collaborative, emphasizes that the current situation leaves many SSI recipients at risk of homelessness, living in segregated institutions, or even incarcerated.

The average rent for a basic one-bedroom apartment in the US is $1,398 per month, substantially higher than the average SSI payment. Moreover, in certain areas, SSI recipients would need two-and-a-half times their monthly benefits to afford housing.

One example is the Santa Cruz-Watsonville housing market in California, where the cost of a studio or one-bedroom apartment is beyond reach for SSI beneficiaries.

The report reveals that many SSI recipients fall under the "worst case housing needs" classification defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

These individuals have incomes at or below 50% of their area's median income, receive no government housing assistance, and pay over half their income in rent or live in severely inadequate conditions, or both.

The lack of affordable housing and limited rental assistance have a disproportionate impact on individuals with developmental disabilities who aspire to live in their communities and exercise their choices.

With rental assistance only reaching one in four eligible households, there is an urgent need for increased housing resources to address this crisis.

As we confront the challenges faced by SSI recipients in accessing affordable housing, it is crucial that policymakers and communities come together to provide affordable housing options and rental assistance programs to ensure that individuals with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives in inclusive communities.