Affordable Housing Coalition

The Affordable Housing Coalition (AHC) focuses on the question, ‘What will it take for every person in Missouri to have access to safe and affordable housing?’

OUR VISION

The Affordable Housing Coalition is a multi-sector team of dedicated advocates who understand the importance of stable housing on health, community, safety, and more. We support regional housing work as appropriate and expand that energy to the state and federal level, building momentum to address the housing shortage crisis at an appropriate level. We are driven to make sure every person in our state has access to safe and affordable housing. Our coalition focuses on those who are most vulnerable, especially those who earn less than 50% of their AMI (Area Median Income) or who rent. 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SNAPSHOT 

• Missourians earning minimum wage have to work 54 hours per week in order to afford a one-bedroom rental home.
• In Missouri, a full-time worker must earn $16.66 an hour in order to afford a two-bedroom rental home.
• Over 122,000 households in Missouri are unable to secure affordable housing.
• More than 70% of low income households pay too much for their housing.

THE PLAN – Affordable Housing Reforms 

Our goal is that all conversations around housing center on the population with the greatest need. Housing is the key to many of the goals of our state, including health and mental health outcomes, workforce participation, and safe communities.

Empower Missouri recommends these long-term policy proposals to address housing affordability and homelessness. 

• Equitable use of tax credits and incentives to incentivize development for housing which is truly affordable in communities which need it
• Protecting rights for Tenants, including expanded support in the private market
• Support local zoning changes to allow for all our neighbors to live in the communities which they choose

We are a dedicated team of advocates working to ensure that individuals in our community have an equal opportunity to succeed. Housing is a Human Right. This means all of our neighbors deserve safe and affordable housing so they can live full lives. Affordable housing is key to reducing poverty across Missouri, improving health and mental health outcomes, increasing workforce participation, and building safer communities.

The AHC meets monthly via Zoom. It is staffed by Vee Sanchez.

Use the form below to let us know that you’re interested in joining our Affordable Housing Coalition.