A new report from the Miami Coalition for the Homeless outlines the growing crisis in rental housing and offers recommendations for solutions.

The Miami Coalition for the Homeless has published a report titled The Growing Crisis in Rental Housing. This report points out there is currently an opportunity for impact if state, federal, other public sources and private organizations come together. Click here to view or download the report.

The recommendations are summarized as follows:

• Increase Federal and State appropriations for affordable housing
• Allocate more housing funding for the lowest income families
• Advance innovative sources of funding for affordable rental housing
• Decrease construction costs
• Support more cost-effective environmentally sensitive building practices

The report cites the example of Ms. Amy Rivas (name changed to protect privacy):

Employed as a security guard, she earns $9 per hour, and takes home around $650 every two weeks with occasional overtime pay. In 2013, she lost the 2-bedroom apartment she shared with her two teenage sons because she was unable to pay the $1,100 monthly rent (this was the lowest cost rental she could find after a long search). Before becoming homeless, this family was paying almost 80% of their income for rent. Even with federal SNAP benefits to supplement their food budget and paid medical care (Florida Kidcare) for her sons, Ms. Rivas had insufficient money for other necessities, such as transportation, school supplies and clothing. Yet finding lodging she can afford is her family's only avenue for leaving the homeless shelter in which they now reside.

For more information, visit www.miamihomeless.org.

About Miami Coalition for the Homeless. The Miami Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) was incorporated in 1985 as a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization dedicated to promoting community collaboration to prevent and end homelesness in South Florida. In 2001, after becoming the recipient of significant funds from the sale of surplus military property, we evolved into a public charity awarding grants to other non-profit entities that share our commitment to ending and preventing homelessness. MCH has a professional staff and committed board of directors which follow local issues and emerging national solutions. Aside from its board which includes a sitting judge, business owners, nonprofit Executive Directors, a CPA and auditor, and an engineer, staff is highly educated and experienced in community solutions brought about through collaboration, perseverance,and funding from its endowment.