Housing affordability is a growing concern throughout the United States and around the world. This is also a global issue of growing concern. A recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that 330 million urban households around the world live in substandard housing or are financially stretched by housing costs, and that within a decade at least 1.6 billion people worldwide will struggle to obtain decent, affordable housing. Here in the U.S., for the 11.5 million extremely low-income households in 2012 there were only 3.3 million rental units affordable and available to them.

Despite these staggering statistics, there are policies and actions that can help increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce the housing affordability gap globally and here in the U.S. On April 7, join HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International and Enterprise Community Partners, for an evidence-based discussion on the challenges and opportunities for expanding housing affordability.

During this event, Secretary Julián Castro will welcome Vice President Joe Biden who will deliver remarks. Vice President Biden, Secretary Castro and the Obama Administration are committed to leveling the playing field for all Americans and increasing access to safe and affordable housing.

We invite you to participate in the event via webcast or social media by following @HUDUSERnews and @PDRevents. We'll be tagging our updates with #housingopportunity.