Renters cannot afford housing because rent consumes excessive portion of income

Low-to-moderate income renters in competitive housing markets face rent that exceeds 30-50% of their monthly income, making it impossible to afford basic necessities, save money, or build financial stability. Traditional market-rate apartments price out vulnerable populations, and current housing supply cannot meet demand at affordable price points. Government-subsidized solutions are rare and have long waitlists, leaving renters trapped in financial precarity.