HOUSTON -- A congressional subcommittee held a hearing in Houston to try to find ways to help people achieve the American dream, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Nearly 200 people attended the meeting at Houston Baptist University on Monday.

"There are many, many people in the Houston area who cannot afford decent housing," said Rep. Maxine Waters of California. "We're concerned about home ownership. We're concerned about the ability to rent quality places for families."

Houston has some unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to home ownership.

One of the challenges is that many Hurricane Katrina evacuees still live in Houston and are increasing the demand for a short supply of affordable housing.

Congressman Al Green said about 42,000 Houstonians are on the waiting list for Section 8 housing.

The lack of affordable housing is also an issue for the elderly, families and people who work but struggle to make ends meet.

"Houston is not unlike most large, urban areas where we have a shortage of affordable housing," Green said. "We have for many years not been allocating vouchers, Section 8 vouchers, and we are at a point now where we're going to have to do a lot of catching up."

Ronnie Rubit moved to Houston after Hurricane Rita hit in 2005. He has been living with family and friends, but he said he wants to get a home of his own.

"Being disabled, I have other expenses that support me to live," he said. "It's very difficult to find housing, affordable housing, and pay for my other expenses."