Maintaining safe, affordable homes for residents has become increasingly urgent as public housing ages. These homes provide stability and opportunity for the 1.5 million people who rely on public housing.
An analysis from the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC), part of the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability, finds that preserving the nation’s 899,000 public housing units could require approximately $169.1 billion. This research provides a data-driven foundation to guide policymakers, housing authorities, and communities in sustaining public housing for generations to come.
What you’ll learn
- Estimated preservation costs: The average unit requires $188,090 to preserve.
- Variation in costs: One quarter of units have predicted per unit costs under $87,700, while one quarter have costs more than $273,400.
- Factors associated with costs: Older buildings, lower inspection scores, larger units, multifamily structures, and high-cost regions generally have higher rehabilitation expenses.
- Data-driven insights: Analysis of recent Rental Assistance Demonstration conversions highlights where investments are most needed and how costs vary across the portfolio.
Why this matters
Without timely investment, public housing risks deterioration, threatening the well-being of residents and the long-term sustainability of this vital resource.
The 10 Year Roadmap unites leaders from HUD, Congress, PHAs, researchers, advocates, and residents to identify the partnerships, funding, and strategies needed to preserve public housing. By understanding these costs and trends, stakeholders can develop actionable plans that ensure safe, efficient, and resilient homes for the future.
Access more resources
Read the full Technical Report at www.pahrc.org/research. Explore companion blogs for additional insights and success stories:
Learn more about the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability at 10YearRoadmap.org.
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