There is an affordable housing crisis. Communities across the country are facing low-income housing shortages – there is not a single county in the United States that can fill 100% of its low-income population’s need for safe, affordable housing.
46 million people live in poverty in the United States. This number has increased 38% over the last 13 years – the highest rate in almost 60 years.
More than 11 million Americans now pay more than half their salaries for their monthly income for rent. This rate has increased more than 30% over the last five years, which is also a record high.
One in four housing markets not affordable by historic standards; new 2016 data from ATTOM Data Solutions shows 24% of US counties are now less affordable now than last year at 19%.
15 million children (or 21% of all children) live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
Poor housing and poor health are tied together, especially with children. When homeless or low-income families have to comprise on housing, their health declines including worsening asthma and allergies tied to poor housing conditions; pests; molds and chronic dampness; lead exposure and increased accidents/injuries from exposed wiring and other needed repairs.
Millions of Americans are struggling to afford a place to live. In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in the U.S., renters need to earn a wage of $20.30 per hour. In six states and the District of Columbia they need to earn more than $25 per hour.
US minimum wage is $7.25/hour. A renter would need to work 90 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom rental home at the Fair Market Rent and 112 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom.
On average, there are only 28 adequate and affordable housing options for every 100 extremely low-income households.
30% of chronically homeless people have serious mental health issues.
50,000 veterans are homeless in the United States and 1.4 million are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support systems and poor living conditions.
