Deploring the lack of affordable housing in the United States, a commission appointed by Congress to examine the issues recommended on Thursday an overhaul of federal policies to provide more units for low- and moderate-wage income earners.

While programs sponsored by the U.S. government have helped lead to a record number of homeowners nationwide, the report that broadly examined housing for the first time in decades faulted federal policies for creating too little housing for lower-income households.

In finding that nearly one out of four households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, the report described affordability as "the single greatest housing challenge facing the nation.''

The commission, with nearly two dozen bipartisan members appointed by Congress 17 months ago, did not suggest funding levels or numerical goals for housing. The report does list 13 proposals to reform or streamline existing affordable housing programs and add some new ones. Among them:

Provide sellers of deteriorating properties with tax relief, easing transfers to organizations that could turn the units into affordable housing.

Restructure the Federal Housing Administration, allowing the agency to adopt to marketplace changes without approval from Congress.

Require able-bodied adults who receive housing assistance to work, allowing them to increase their income so they can move out of subsidized units and free up housing for other families.