IMO B. The usage of "since" provides a reason for why middle-income families are especially hard-hit.

phelps wrote:140. As the housing affordability gap widens, middle-income families are especially hard-hit, and these families can no longer qualify to buy homes, and rising rental rates force them to use far more than the standard 25 percent of their incomes for housing, leaving them with no equity or tax write-offs to offset the expenditures.
(A) and these families can no longer qualify to buy homes, and
(B) since these families can no longer afford to buy homes, furthermore
(C) for these families can no longer afford to buy homes, yet
(D) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes; however,
(E) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes, for

It has to be B.

Also - your underlining is off. The "and" at the end should probably also be underlined.

This is a logic issue - thus B is the answer.

any specific reason to write-off E?
the part following 'for..' explains why it is difficult for them to buy homes...
The part 'and these families...buy homes' can serve just as an extension of the main clause preceding it..
Opinions?

I too feel it is E

It is the reason that is being explained, for which 'for' would be appropriate.

OA is C

Can anyone please explain it

I feel these are not two contrasting statements, so that 'yet' is required, but two statements with the second explaining the first...
do u have the explanation for this answer, OE?
what's the source?

Stacey's comments:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/q-140-1000-sc-t17584.html

The answer is C because ....for..explains why they are hard it...and "yet" emphasizes their situation on being stuck with the increasing rentals as they cant buy a house.

phelps wrote:140. As the housing affordability gap widens, middle-income families are especially hard-hit, and these families can no longer qualify to buy homes, and rising rental rates force them to use far more than the standard 25 percent of their incomes for housing, leaving them with no equity or tax write-offs to offset the expenditures.
(A) and these families can no longer qualify to buy homes, and
(B) since these families can no longer afford to buy homes, furthermore
(C) for these families can no longer afford to buy homes, yet
(D) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes; however,
(E) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes, for

IMO "C" is best because:

(A) and these families can no longer qualify to buy homes, and
first "and" is parallel to what....we need because to tell the reason....Second and is wrong...we need something to show contrast.

(B) since these families can no longer afford to buy homes, furthermore
Furthermore is "in addition to"...we need something to show contrast.
(C) for these families can no longer afford to buy homes, yet
Correct...for is used correctly here as "because"
(D) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes; however,
"and" is parallel to what....we need because to tell the reason....

(E) and these families can no longer afford to buy homes, for
"and" is parallel to what....we need because to tell the reason....