The cost of rent has become unaffordable for a record number of Americans.

A recent Harvard report found half of all renters are paying more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Census data shows homes with the lowest annual incomes are experiencing the largest increases in the amount they spend to put a roof over their heads.

Stephanie Allen, who is retired and lives with her daughter on a fixed income at the Bracey Houses in New Rochelle, is one of millions of Americans forced to tighten their belt.

"I can't afford $3,000 a month rent in all these buildings all around New Rochelle," she said. "I can't afford that."

Allen, like other federally subsidized housing recipients, is capped at paying 30% of her income to rent. On Monday, Rep. Jamaal Bowman unveiled his newest piece of legislation that would lower that to 20%.

"This is an across-the-district issue and an across-the-county issue and so we have to push new ideas, a new agenda and a new vision for affordable housing," Bowman said.

The announcement came as New Rochelle opened up its Section 8 voucher waitlist for the first time since 2020.

Bowman said public housing has been historically underfunded by the federal government and argued the area median income to designate a unit as affordable in Westchester is still too high for most people.

The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority (NRMHA) provides public housing for those with a limited income in the city. NRMHA Executive Director Angela Davis-Farrish said the bill has her local support.

"Real affordable housing is where residents are only paying a certain amount of their income toward their rent," she said.

Advocates said the savings would mean a boost in discretionary income and savings for those who need it the most.

"That would be a little better for me and my daughter," Allen said.

Bowman said the newly introduced bill does not have any co-sponsors at the moment but he added that several of his congressional colleagues will soon be on board by the end of the year.