Backlog of maintenance and renovation is causing state-subsidized housing to sit empty

More than 2,000 apartments that are supposed to go to those in dire need of housing throughout Massachusetts are sitting empty — sometimes for years. A WBUR and Pro Publica investigation shows the biggest reason state-subsidized units are vacant is a backlog of maintenance and renovation.

WBUR's Christine Willmsen explains public housing authorities say it’s hard to get these units in shape because they're cash-strapped and short-staffed.