Report on Housing Insecurity Among New Yorkers: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Message from the Comptroller
Safe and adequate housing is fundamental to societal well-being, providing security, rest, and a space for personal and communal growth. However, many Americans face significant challenges in securing affordable housing, leading to economic, social, and health consequences. In New York, nearly 3 million households spend over 30% of their income on housing, with one in five experiencing severe cost burdens exceeding 50%. This report, the final in the “New Yorkers in Need” series, focuses on housing insecurity, highlighting affordability, quality, and risks such as eviction and homelessness. Addressing these issues aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 1 (No Poverty).
Executive Summary
Introduction
The right to adequate housing is enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and New York State’s Constitution, which mandates support for the needy. Despite private market dominance in housing production, approximately 3 million New York households face housing insecurity characterized by unaffordability, poor conditions, overcrowding, and eviction risks. Housing insecurity is recognized as a social determinant of health, linking directly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Key Findings
- Cost Burdens: In 2022, 38.9% of New York households were cost-burdened, paying 30% or more of income on housing; 20% were severely burdened (over 50%). This ranks New York third nationally.
- Renters vs. Owners: Renters face higher cost burdens (52.4%) compared to homeowners (28.0%), with urban areas exhibiting greater challenges.
- Housing Supply: Between 2012-2022, housing unit growth was 5.7%, ranking 32nd nationally, insufficient to meet demand.
- Income Disparities: Cost burdens affect all income groups, with low-income renters most impacted; 90% of renters earning below $35,000 were burdened.
- Housing Quality: Physical inadequacy is less common but present; overcrowding affects 5% of households, with renters more affected.
- Racial Disparities: Housing insecurity disproportionately affects Hispanic (55%), Black (50%), and Asian (48%) headed households versus 31% for white-headed households, highlighting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
- Seniors: Housing insecurity among seniors exceeds national averages.
- Evictions and Homelessness: Eviction rates are higher than national averages, with a spike post-pandemic; New York has the highest homelessness rate nationally, over double the U.S. average.
Recommendations
Addressing housing insecurity requires coordinated action across federal, state, and local governments, focusing on increasing housing supply, diversity, and rental assistance, in line with SDG 11 and SDG 1.
Federal Assistance and Flexibility
- Increase funding for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and public housing to reduce waitlists.
- Expand Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) and Private Activity Bonds (PABs) to incentivize affordable housing development.
- Allow Medicaid funds to support supportive housing, recognizing housing as a social determinant of health (SDG 3).
State and Local Policy Enhancements
- Improve transparency and effectiveness of housing programs through detailed reporting and monitoring.
- Encourage local governments to review and update zoning laws to facilitate housing development.
- Continue and expand eviction mitigation efforts, including legal representation and rental assistance programs.
Understanding Housing Insecurity
Housing insecurity encompasses unaffordable costs, poor quality, overcrowding, frequent moves, evictions, foreclosures, and homelessness. It impacts physical and mental health, economic stability, and social equity, directly relating to SDG 3 and SDG 10.
- Substandard conditions such as lead exposure and pest infestations cause health issues.
- Evictions and homelessness increase risks for depression and poor child outcomes.
- High housing costs force trade-offs with food and healthcare.
- Neighborhood factors affect health disparities and access to opportunities.
High Housing Cost Burdens
New York’s National Ranking
New York ranks third nationally with 38.9% of households cost-burdened. Renters are more affected than owners, with 52.4% of renters burdened compared to 28.0% of owners.
Local Variations
Cost burdens are highest in New York City and downstate regions, with urban areas experiencing greater challenges. For example, 43% of New York City households are cost-burdened.
Factors Influencing Cost Burdens
- Housing Supply: Growth in housing units is insufficient to meet demand, particularly for affordable rental units.
- Housing Costs: Median rents increased by 39% from 2012 to 2022, outpacing homeowner costs.
- Income Disparities: Lower-income renters face the highest burdens, with 90% of those earning below $35,000 cost-burdened.
Housing Conditions and Quality
While cost burdens dominate, physical inadequacies such as overcrowding and poor maintenance affect a smaller share but remain significant. In New York City, 24% of rental units reported rodent presence, and 18% had leaks or cracks, impacting health and well-being.
Demographic Disparities in Housing Insecurity
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Housing insecurity disproportionately affects minority households, with Hispanic, Black, and Asian households experiencing higher rates than white households, underscoring the need for equity-focused interventions aligned with SDG 10.
Seniors
Housing insecurity among seniors in New York exceeds national averages, with 43% of households with persons aged 75+ affected.
Housing Stress: Evictions, Foreclosures, and Homelessness
Evictions
New York has higher eviction rates than the national average. Pandemic-era moratoriums and rental assistance programs reduced evictions temporarily, but filings surged post-moratorium. Legal aid programs have been effective in preventing evictions, supporting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Foreclosures
Foreclosure filings declined during the pandemic due to protections but have begun to rise again, though remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Homelessness
New York has the highest homelessness rate nationally, with over 103,000 homeless individuals in 2023. The majority are sheltered due to legal rights to shelter in New York City. Homelessness disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic populations and is linked to mental health and substance abuse challenges.
Policy Overview
Federal Policies
- Housing assistance programs, including HCVs, public housing, and project-based rental assistance, serve nearly one million New Yorkers.
- Federal grants and tax incentives support affordable housing development.
- Recent federal budget increases address housing needs, but funding gaps remain.
State Policies
- New York’s five-year, $25 billion housing plan aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes.
- State agencies administer funding, tax credits, and regulatory frameworks.
- Rent regulation laws provide tenant protections and aim to stabilize housing costs.
Local Policies
- Local governments influence housing through zoning and development incentives.
- New York City’s “City of Yes” zoning reforms aim to increase housing supply.
- Legal representation programs for tenants facing eviction have proven effective.
Recommendations for Addressing Housing Insecurity
Federal Level
- Increase funding for housing vouchers and public housing to reduce waitlists.
- Expand tax credit programs to incentivize deeply affordable housing.
- Authorize Medicaid funding for supportive housing services.
State and Local Levels
- Enhance transparency and program effectiveness through improved data reporting and monitoring.
- Encourage local zoning reforms and provide support for communities updating housing policies.
- Continue and expand eviction prevention programs, including legal aid and rental assistance.
Conclusion
Housing insecurity in New York is a multifaceted crisis impacting millions, with significant implications for health, equity, and economic stability. Addressing this challenge requires integrated efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Coordinated federal, state, and local actions are essential to increase affordable housing supply, improve housing quality, and protect vulnerable populations from eviction and homelessness.
1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected
- SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses housing insecurity, cost burdens, and homelessness, which are directly linked to poverty alleviation.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Housing insecurity is identified as a social determinant of health affecting physical and mental health outcomes.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights significant racial disparities in housing insecurity and homeownership gaps.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Focus on affordable housing, urban housing cost burdens, and local zoning policies to improve housing supply and quality.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Legal representation for tenants facing eviction and transparent governance in housing programs.
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified
- SDG 1 – Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, including access to basic services such as adequate housing.
- SDG 3 – Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being, recognizing housing as a social determinant of health.
- SDG 10 – Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race or ethnicity.
- SDG 11 – Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 16 – Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, including housing program administration.
- SDG 16 – Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all, as reflected in legal assistance for tenants.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress
- Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services, including adequate housing.
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing (implied by data on overcrowding and substandard housing).
- Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the national poverty line, linked to housing cost burden statistics.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, disaggregated by race/ethnicity, related to disparities in housing insecurity.
- Eviction Filing Rates: Used as a measure of housing stress and insecurity.
- Homelessness Rates: Number of homeless persons per 1,000 population, used to track progress on homelessness.
- Housing Cost Burden: Percentage of households paying more than 30% or 50% of income on housing, a key affordability indicator.
- Voucher Utilization Rates: Percentage of Housing Choice Vouchers used versus issued, indicating effectiveness of rental assistance programs.
- Maintenance Deficiency Rates: Prevalence of housing maintenance issues such as presence of rodents, leaks, heating problems, indicating housing quality.
- Legal Representation Outcomes: Percentage of tenants with legal representation who remain housed, reflecting access to justice.
4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: Equal rights to economic resources, including adequate housing | 1.4.1: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services; Housing cost burden (% households paying >30% income) |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being | Rates of housing insecurity as social determinant of health; prevalence of substandard housing linked to health outcomes |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: Empower and promote social, economic and political inclusion of all | 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% median income by race/ethnicity; racial disparities in housing insecurity rates |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: Access to adequate, safe and affordable housing | 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in inadequate housing; homelessness rate per 1,000 population; eviction filing rates |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | 16.3: Equal access to justice for all 16.6: Develop accountable and transparent institutions |
Legal representation success rates for tenants; reporting transparency on housing program spending and outcomes; voucher utilization rates |
Source: osc.ny.gov
