Bill Overview
Title: Stable Families Act of 2022
Description: This bill permits the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to provide financial assistance and housing stabilization services to extremely low-income households.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: Extremely low-income households
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The bill targets extremely low-income households.
- Such households typically include families with minimal income, often below the poverty line.
- The focus is on housing stability, implying these households struggle with housing costs.
- Globally, there are millions of low-income households in various countries who face housing instability.
Reasoning
- The Stable Families Act targets extremely low-income households with a focus on housing stability. Therefore, it is expected to have a significant impact on those struggling the most with housing costs.
- The policy provides financial assistance and housing stabilization services which can directly affect individuals' wellbeing by reducing housing insecurity.
- Given the significant budget, the policy can target a large population but might still be limited in addressing every need due to high demand in extremely low-income households.
- Some people will not be impacted by the policy, either because they are not in the extremely low-income bracket or because they have stable housing situations.
Simulated Interviews
part-time retail worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I constantly worry about making rent each month.
- Any help with housing would allow me to focus more on my children and work.
- This policy could mean the difference between staying housed and homelessness for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
unemployed (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing stability is crucial for any form of recovery or progress.
- Grants could provide an opportunity to finally afford a small apartment.
- This is a lifeline for someone in my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 0 |
non-profit worker (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I work, my housing costs are a huge burden.
- Access to more affordable housing could help stabilize my finances.
- The policy can provide a security I currently do not feel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
homemaker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even minor assistance with housing would relieve financial stress.
- I've been looking into opportunities for affordable housing since the move.
- It may not change everything, but every bit helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 2 |
retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Subsidies are crucial, but expanding them could significantly help.
- My wellbeing is tied directly to housing security.
- This policy could provide more stability in my golden years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
college student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The high cost of rent is a big issue for students like myself.
- Any housing assistance would extend my budget significantly.
- The policy might benefit me if it includes student-friendly housing options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
construction worker (Memphis, TN)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could stabilize my living situation, especially during off-seasons.
- I am hopeful but it's not a guaranteed solution.
- Financial assistance could alleviate constant worry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
artist (Portland, OR)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regular income isn't guaranteed, making housing precarious.
- The policy's financial aid could offer some breathing room for artistic projects.
- Housing stability directly influences creativity and mental health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
part-time rideshare driver (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rising costs make stability seem out of reach without assistance.
- The policy could ensure my family has secure housing.
- Without it, we're constantly sacrificing one necessity for another.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 0 |
janitor (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any relief from housing costs would help make ends meet.
- This policy could reduce my need to juggle multiple jobs.
- It would allow me to focus more on personal health and family time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000000 (Low: $50000000000, High: $90000000000)
Year 2: $72500000000 (Low: $52000000000, High: $93000000000)
Year 3: $75000000000 (Low: $54000000000, High: $96000000000)
Year 5: $80000000000 (Low: $58000000000, High: $102000000000)
Year 10: $90000000000 (Low: $65000000000, High: $115000000000)
Year 100: $110000000000 (Low: $85000000000, High: $140000000000)
Key Considerations
- The scale of the challenge involves millions of households lacking stable housing.
- Economies of scale might affect both costs and effectiveness of the intervention.
- The interplay between federal, state, local, and tribal programs can enhance or hinder the efficiency of implementation.
- Administrative capacity and effectiveness will significantly affect the cost and outcome projections.