Our Impact

Building to Impact: A Data-Based Narrative Supporting Housing as a Platform

SAHF and its members have long recognized the value of quality affordable rental homes, especially when enriched with services, in supporting health and wellness, economic mobility, increased opportunity and an improved quality of life for residents. In late 2013, with support from the Kresge Foundation, SAHF launched its Outcomes Initiative – a collaborative effort of the SAHF members to establish and utilize indicators related to resident outcomes. Building to Impact presents data from SAHF members as part of the first stage of the Outcomes Initiative.

Already, some evidence links service-enriched housing to improved outcomes for residents, including increases in income, assets, and rates of homeownership. A sense of safety and civic participation are also on the rise at some SAHF properties. Other data illustrates challenges and provides a baseline for measuring future growth. As a result of the initiative, many SAHF members now conduct more comprehensive data collection and analysis and find that it enables them to deliver better, more cost-effective programs. The indicator framework has also served as the basis for the Strong Families Fund, a Low Income Housing Tax Credit Syndication Fund offered by SAHF’s affiliate, the National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), with support from the Kresge Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and with Goldman Sachs as an investor.

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1 in 4 low-income families pays more than 70 percent of its income on rent, leaving little money for other bills and almost no room for an unexpected expense.

Millions are living paycheck to paycheck
30 Million By the Age of 3, There is a 30 Million Word Gap Between Children from Wealthy Families and Poorer Families.

The Word Gap: The Early Years Make the Difference
$12,897 Median Total Household Income for Residents of SAHF Member Properties

median gross annual household income for residents of SAHF member homes by state
28% In 2013, Households Headed by Adults Ages 65 and Older Devoted 28% of Their Spending to Housing.

Source: 2015, Housing Costs and Financial Challenges for Low-Income Older Adults
51% of households in SAHF member homes live below the federal poverty level (adjusted for household size).

Figure is based on SAHF Outcomes Initiative Data
$9.1 Billion in economic income (wages and business income) is supported by Low Income Housing Tax Credit development activity, within a typical year.

The Economic Impact of the Affordable Housing Credit, National Association of Home Builders, 2014