Federal housing policy continues to rely heavily on the private market and the immense capital at its disposal for the production of low income housing. But among government housing officials and across the broad network of non-profit housing professionals in the U.S., the belief in a "right to housing" is strong, along with a vision of housing that is community-owned and controlled, permanently affordable, and resident-centered. This social housing ideal is difficult to achieve at scale without direct public subsidy. This report examines the flexibility given to states in their allocation of three major federal programs -- the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF or HTF), and the federal HOME program (HOME) -- and finds a strong developing trend among state governments to steer these programs at least partly in the direction of the social housing ideal. The flexibility available to state governments in these plans highlights the value of organizing and advocacy, particularly at the state executive branch level, to expand tenant protections, establish permanent affordability, and promote community, nonprofit and resident ownership.