This Congressionally mandated report documents four major findings: -The persistence of a housing affordability crisis for very-low-income renters despite the robust economic growth of the 1990s. -A reduction in the stock of affordable rental housing and the elimination of new Federal rental assistance, beginning in 1995. -A sharp increase in needs for rental housing assistance among the working poor. -The increased suburbanization of housing needs. These findings have significant implications for Federal housing policy. To begin to ameliorate this severe housing crisis, Congress should resume the expansion of Federal tenant-based rental assistance targeted to those with the most severe needs. In addition, Congress should expand programs like HOME and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit which subsidize the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. Finally, Congress should to the maximum extent possible continue to focus scarce Federal public and assisted housing opportunities on those households with the most severe housing needs, while still fostering a greater income mix in public and assisted housing developments. (Authors)