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:
How Can Manufactured Housing Address Rural Housing Needs?
Manufactured housing offers a cost-effective solution for rural areas. Resources from organizations like NeighborWorks and NextStep provide toolkits for developing manufactured housing communities, including guidance on engaging with planning boards and nonprofit organizations.
How Does Leadership Development Impact Rural Housing?
Programs like the California Coalition for Rural Housing’s leadership training provide pathways for young individuals, particularly people of color, to enter the affordable housing development field. This approach not only builds professional opportunities but also expands housing options in rural communities.
What Programs Support Affordable Housing in Rural Areas?
Several federal programs assist in developing and maintaining affordable housing in rural communities:
- USDA Single Family Housing Programs: Offer loans and grants for purchasing, building, or repairing homes in eligible rural areas.
- USDA Multifamily Housing Programs: Provide financing for the development and rehabilitation of rental properties for low-income individuals and families.
- Rural Housing Service (RHS): Administers various programs to improve housing and community facilities in rural areas.
Where Can I Find More Resources on Rural Affordable Housing?
- Federal policy: The 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.
