From Buffalo to Montauk, New York State is in the midst of an affordable-housing crisis.

The National Low-Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach report found someone working at the current minimum wage would need to work 99 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom rental. Along with stagnant wages, rising inflation has also led to higher housing costs.

Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator for the group Housing Justice for All, said legislative action must be taken, so people can afford to have a place to call home.

"The most important thing New York needs to do right now is pass good-cause eviction tenant protections, which would require landlords to have a good reason to pursue an eviction, and to raise the rents more than 1.5 times the rate of inflation," Weaver outlined. "Right now, that would be around 10%."

She added protections are critically important for neighborhood stability. The Good Cause Eviction Bill was first brought before the Legislature in 2019, and has been reintroduced since. The bill's opponents argued it encroaches on the rights of a landlord. The measure is under review by the state Senate's Judiciary Committee.

Beyond legislation, constructing new affordable housing is also an issue. Earlier this year, New York City Mayor Eric Adams proposed converting empty commercial spaces into affordable housing.

Rafael Salamanca Jr., a New York City councilman, believes it would create a swath of much-needed affordable housing.

"We can create up to 20,000 units of housing in Manhattan alone and other parts," Salamanca contended. "We can create up to 20,000 units which, in essence, will create housing for about 40,000 New Yorkers."

The need for some relief to the lack of affordable housing is growing, as Manhattan rental prices hit an average of $5,000 in 2022, according to a report from the Douglas Elliman real estate firm.

While there are many solutions to the crisis, no one is a silver bullet.

Emily Goldstein, director of organizing and advocacy for the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development, said there are certain aspects of the affordable-housing conversation which need to be considered.

"I'd say the first thing is to start from a perspective and a principle of being really honest about who needs what kind of affordable housing," Goldstein urged. "Then, focusing both policy and financial budget tools towards that."

She added a holistic approach needs to be taken to zoning, and tenant's rights need to be addressed as well. Relief might be on the way, although it will take some time. In her 2023 State of the State Address, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a proposalto develop 800,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade to meet expected needs.

Oregon lawmakers passed a major housing package in this year's session, but said easing the state's housing crisis will take more work.

Bills passed during the short legislative session will send a total of $376 million to address the state's housing shortage, including Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537, priorities for Gov. Tina Kotek.

Shannon Vilhauer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, said the governor's housing package is groundbreaking.

"We also see important investments in emergency housing assistance, addiction recovery support and renters protections," Vilhauer pointed out. "Those are all investments that are going to help stabilize Oregonians in need of housing assistance and benefit the communities we all share."

The housing package includes funds for housing and homelessness projects and to support counties buying land and developing properties.

However, Vilhauer argued there is still more to do to address the crisis. During the next legislative session, she hopes the state will help first-time homebuyers, as well as make other investments.

"Preserving affordable rental homes that exist now but are at risk of terming out of their affordability and going market rate," Vilhauer explained. "We'd love to see that affordable housing preservation investment move forward in a strong way."

Vilhauer acknowledged the housing issue in Oregon cannot be solved immediately. It is a problem decades in the making.

"It will take a concerted effort over time to continue to make headway," Vilhauer stressed. "We're starting to get there but we need to keep going with a sustained effort."


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A new report shows Montana has the nation's most rapidly rising homeless population. Advocates for more affordable housing call the situation critical.

One Kalispell-based shelter is asking for state funding to expand, and do what it can to help.

The most recent Annual Homelessness Assessment Report shows Montana saw a 551% increase in its unsheltered population, the steepest rise in the country between 2007 and 2023.

Kalispell-based Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager said he feels the pinch every night.

"I like to think we can handle it," said Krager. "We're trying to address it. Samaritan House, we see between 95 and 105 people every night."

That's capacity for Samaritan House, which Krager said has been full every night for a decade - and often has to help people find other options.

He has asked for state funds to expand the facility, which would double its occupancy.

In addition to building single and multi-family housing, Samaritan House also plans to create housing for veterans.

Krager said they often experience mental health issues along with homelessness. The report shows Montana was one of only four states with an increase in homeless veterans.

"Kalispell is the largest city in Montana with no dedicated homeless veteran housing," said Krager. "So, we're going to fix that. The reason this is serious is because the nature of homelessness in Montana - certain times of the year, it could be fatal. So, we want to really be on our game, especially if it's cold out."

More than 30% of people in Montana's homeless shelters reported a mental health and/or substance use disorder in 2022. The report shows in some shelters, that number is nearly two-thirds.




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Georgia lawmakers appear to be taking a major step toward safeguarding property owners against people who occupy homes or apartments illegally, with what's known as the Squatters Reform Act.

House Bill 1017 passed unanimously in both the Georgia House and Senate. It would make illegally occupying personal property a criminal matter, rather than a civil case. This means the rightful owners can get people out of their homes sooner who don't belong there.

The move is expected to bring relief to such residents as Dan Rodgers, who said he once felt squatters had more legal protection than property owners.

"I think the new three-day process is going to benefit a lot of homeowners," Rodgers said. "It seemed like previous squatters' rights were giving them the opportunity to hide behind process."

Under the Squatters Reform Act, people would have to provide valid documentation of their right to occupy the property within three business days or face arrest for criminal trespass. Those who present documents would have their case reviewed within seven days to establish its legitimacy.

Georgia law has required homeowners to file an "Affidavit of Intruder" in the court system to remove squatters from their property, which can take weeks or months. Rodgers, who owns property in Muscogee County, said he hopes the new legislation will serve as a deterrent to those who previously sought to take advantage.

"I don't think that there's very many circumstances we could think of with a normal trespasser having as many protected rights as squatters do, and ending up being able to really affect people's livelihood," he said. "So, I really feel like it's a really good incentive for people to do the right thing."

The bill was sent to Gov. Brian Kemp this week and is pending his signature to become law.


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