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CONCLUSION There is considerable need among rural renter households, and shrinking resources to address these needs. Over 60 percent of rural rental households are low-income, over 25 percent live in poverty, one-third of all rural renters are cost burdened, and many live in inadequate units. These conditions are aggravated for the 1 million worst case needs households without federal housing assistance. Despite the overwhelming demand for affordable and assisted housing, resources to address the housing needs of rural renters are limited, and in some cases being cut. Section 515 has been a major development financing tool used by private (nonprofit and for profit )affordable housing developers to build rural rental housing. In recent years, funding has been cut by more than 60 percent, effectively reducing the future supply of affordable rental housing units. This is problematic, given the incredible reduction in unsubsidized units affordable to the lowest income groups. As Section 515 funding has been cut, funding for Section 538 has been increased. This guaranteed loan program is not structured to provide housing for lower income groups. This is of considerable concern as almost 40 percent of all rural renters are extremely low- and very low-income households. For the millions of low- income rural rental households, this program alone will not solve their housing problems. Rental assistance programs, including Section 521 and Section 8, are essential resources in the effort to reduce the cost burden suffered by rural renter households. Demand for this assistance, however, has consistently outpaced availability, as evidenced by the extensive waiting lists and the 1 million rural worst case households. The connection between rental assistance and affordable rental housing development adds another layer of demand. Rental assistance will be necessary in order to make projected Section 515 and LIHTC units affordable to the lowest income households. Thus, if development is to continue, as it must, more resources must be made available to increase the amount of subsidy available. The need to increase funding and attention to rural rental housing issues is reflected in the data, as well as in discussions with experts in the field. It has been difficult to raise interest in rural rental housing issues, however, as affordable housing providers have had to address these concerns in a political environment where rental housing issues are viewed as secondary to those of homeowners. Efforts must be made to assert the importance of rental housing, and increase attention to this housing stock. Most importantly, new rural rental housing programs and funding decisions must take into consideration the make-up and needs of rural renter households.
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