In August 2008, Affordable Housing Finance magazine wrote a feature story on the nation's shrinking affordable housing supply. According to the article, there are only 38 affordable and available units for every 100 extremely low-income households, accounting for a nationwide deficit of 6 million units.

Even for those earning up to 50 percent of their area's median income, the deficit is still a 5 million available, affordable units. Additionally, the number of households with "worst case" housing needs increased nearly 20 percent from 2001 to 2005.

New Orleans' homeless rate swells to 1 in 25

By Rick Jervis, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-16-neworleans-homeless-rate_N.htm

NEW ORLEANS — The homeless population of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina has reached unprecedented levels for a U.S. city: one in 25 residents.