How the US government undermines a critical program that supports people who are homeless

The ratios in this graphic are estimated from data from 2016 to 2023

Agencies may be “hiding” unused properties.

 

That’s what a federal judge found in 2013. Agencies are required to report all unused or underused properties. It’s unclear what portion of properties are not reported because of poor data on federal buildings.

1

Unreported to the government

Agencies make some properties unavailable.

 

The government deems some properties unsuitable, like lighthouses. But other properties are made unavailable for various reasons, like being a “high value asset”.

2

Unsuitable or

made unavailable

The application process is tricky and the financing requirements are broken.

 

Providers need to get financing to receive the property – but the most likely financing program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, requires having the property in hand.

3

Most properties don’t

get applications.

The application decisions are arbitrary.

 

Homeless services providers say the application decisions are often rejected for arbitrary reasons.

4

2 in 3 applications

are rejected

Agencies may be “hiding” unused properties.

 

That’s what a federal judge found in 2013. Agencies are required to report all unused or underused properties. It’s unclear what portion of properties are not reported because of poor data on federal buildings.

1

Unreported to the government

Agencies make some properties unavailable.

 

The government deems some properties unsuitable, like lighthouses. But other properties are made unavailable for various reasons, like being a “high value asset”.

2

Unsuitable or

made unavailable

The application process is tricky and the financing requirements are broken.

 

Providers need to get financing to receive the property – but the most likely financing program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, requires having the property in hand.

3

Most properties don’t

get applications.

The application decisions are arbitrary.

 

Homeless services providers say the application decisions are often rejected for arbitrary reasons.

4

2 in 3 applications

are rejected

Agencies may be “hiding” unused properties.

 

That’s what a federal judge found in 2013. Agencies are required to report all unused or underused properties. It’s unclear what portion of properties are not reported because of poor data on federal buildings.

1

Unreported to the government

Agencies make some properties unavailable.

 

The government deems some properties unsuitable, like lighthouses. But other properties are made unavailable for various reasons, like being a “high value asset”.

2

Unsuitable or

made unavailable

The application process is tricky and the financing requirements are broken.

 

Providers need to get financing to receive the property – but the most likely financing program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, requires having the property in hand.

3

Most properties don’t

get applications.

The application decisions are arbitrary.

 

Homeless services providers say the application decisions are often rejected for arbitrary reasons.

4

2 in 3 applications

are rejected

Agencies may be “hiding” unused properties.

 

That’s what a federal judge found in 2013. Agencies are required to report all unused or underused properties. It’s unclear what portion of properties are not reported because of poor data on federal buildings.

1

Unreported to the government

Agencies make some properties unavailable.

 

The government deems some properties unsuitable, like lighthouses. But other properties are made unavailable for various reasons, like being a “high value asset”.

2

Unsuitable or

made unavailable

The application process is tricky and the financing requirements are broken.

 

Providers need to get financing to receive the property – but the most likely financing program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, requires having the property in hand.

3

Most properties don’t

get applications.

The application decisions are arbitrary.

 

Homeless services providers say the application decisions are often rejected for arbitrary reasons.

4

2 in 3 applications

are rejected