Calls for Housing Assistance Surge

By AHF Staff Affordable Housing Finance

Referrals for housing assistance reached an all-time high of 6 million last year, marking a 150% increase over the last 10 years, according to data from 211 contact centers across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Housing represented the largest share of requests for help, representing nearly 1 in 3 of all referrals nationwide, reported United Way Worldwide in its annual 211 Impact Survey.

“What we’re hearing across the 211 network is a sharp increase in people struggling—particularly around finding and keeping stable housing—which serves as a sounding alarm from communities nationwide,” said Heather Black, vice president of 211 System Strategy at United Way Worldwide. “More and more families are telling us they’re struggling to maintain the basics such as a stable roof over their heads, food on the table, and the lights on. Meeting this moment will require coordinated solutions that ensure individuals and families don’t fall through the cracks.” 

Housing represented 31% of all 211 referrals, the largest share of any category.  People were asking for help finding affordable housing, getting short-term rental assistance, seeking legal aid to fight eviction, and looking for emergency shelters.

It was also the biggest unmet need. In other words, there were not enough community resources available to handle the housing needs callers expressed, reported officials.

“211 is on the front lines of community need, and it’s sounding a clear alarm about the challenges our neighbors face,” said Rosie Allen-Herring, interim president and CEO of the organization. “United Way Worldwide’s 211 Impact Survey data show the issues people are facing are not theoretical—they’re happening in real time in communities everywhere. We cannot stand by while individuals and families struggle. Our nation thrives when communities have the resources they need.”  

Utility assistance was the second-largest referral category, increasing nearly 6% from 2024 and doubling over the last decade to 3.1 million referrals. In 27 states, housing and utilities together represented over half of all referrals. 

Food referrals reached 2.5 million, nearly double pre-pandemic levels. Last year, needs were exacerbated by disruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and shrinking resources for local food pantries, according to officials.

West Virginia experienced a staggering 915% increase in referrals for food assistance. In Georgia, 28% of all referrals were food related.

The 211 network is a three-digit dialing code that connects to a free, confidential service for information and referrals to a wide range of social service programs and resources. It connects community members to professional resource specialists offering help with crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance, stable housing and utilities assistance, employment services, veteran services, and child care and family services.

United Way Worldwide is the convener and largest supporter of the 211 Network.