The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020 report highlights the worsening affordability for renters, with 20.4 million households paying more than 30% of their income on rent in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis, particularly affecting low-income renters who have faced significant income losses and higher rates of rent delinquency. Racial disparities are evident, with Black and Hispanic renters experiencing higher cost burdens and greater financial distress. Despite a slight decline in rent growth and increased vacancies in higher-quality apartments, the overall rental market remains tight. The report calls for a comprehensive re-envisioning of national housing policy to address these persistent challenges.

The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020 | Joint Center for Housing Studies (harvard.edu)