Access to affordable housing is essential for the well-being of rural families, workers, and communities. Stable housing supports better health outcomes, educational success, job stability, and local economic growth. Yet rural areas often face unique housing challenges, including aging stock, underinvestment, and limited development financing.

At Aspen CSG, we believe affordable housing is key to building thriving rural communities where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to succeed. We work alongside partners and practitioners across the country to spotlight solutions that strengthen rural and Indigenous communities.

Below are a few resources that offer strategies, stories, and tools to advance affordable housing in rural communities:

Featured Resources:

• Federal policy: Housing Assistance Council (HAC) supports rural communities and organizations working to expand affordable housing options. They provide research, data, and federal policy advocacy to strengthen rural housing markets. Explore their 2025 federal housing policy priorities to see the latest recommendations.
  
• Manufactured Housing Resources: Manufactured housing offers a practical, affordable solution for rural development. NeighborWorks and Next Step offer toolkits and engagement guides for working with community planning boards and nonprofit leaders. Explore their Next Step’s resource page for tools to support rural developers and homebuyers.
  
• Leadership Training Program: The California Coalition for Rural Housing grows the next generation of rural affordable housing leaders. Their internship and career pathways program supports young people of color to become affordable housing developers, expanding professional opportunities while addressing rural housing needs. Aspen CSG first connected with this work during our ROADS webinar on rural power building.

Take Action:

Explore these resources, share them with your networks, and join us in building rural communities where affordable, secure housing is a foundation for health, belonging, and opportunity.

Learn more about Aspen CSG’s broader efforts to strengthen rural community well-being through our Thrive Rural Framework and Rural Development Hubs model.