Many households struggle to afford a decent, safe place to live. Since 2000, rents have risen while the number of renters needing affordable housing has increased. These two pressures make finding affordable housing even tougher for America’s poorest households.

Housing policy can play an important role in improving or impeding the economic well-being of low-income households.

Pay for Success provides an innovative way for state and local governments to tackle social problems by tapping private investors to cover the upfront costs of the programs.

At a time when local governments are confronting challenges on multiple fronts ranging from rising inequality to fast-moving global economic tides and reduced state and federal support, collaboration between cities and local anchors has never been so important.