No US State Has Enough Affordable Housing for Low-Income Renters – But These 11 States Are the Worst
Even people who have a decent income may struggle paying rent. The affordability crisis is only worsening. High demand (due partly to the financial inability to buy a home), inventory shortage and a lack of new residential construction are major factors in the soaring costs of living.
One proven solution to lessen the financial burden of renting is affordable housing, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines as housing for which the occupant is paying no more than 30% of their gross income for housing costs, including utilities.
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But affordable housing is hugely underfunded, meaning there’s not nearly enough to go around. This is a nationwide problem, but some states are particularly short on affordable housing.
District of Columbia
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 50,011
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 33
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 75%
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Washington
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 237,903
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 28
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 75%
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Colorado
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 164,750
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 27
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%
Indiana
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 209,710
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 34
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%
Virginia
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 263,914
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 30
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 76%
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California
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 1,282,835
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 24
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 77%
Georgia
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 325,237
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 34
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 78%
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 77%
Oregon
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 138,104
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 26
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 78%
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Arizona
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 176,191
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 24
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 79%
Texas
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 906,885
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 25
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 79%
Florida
Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 583,625
Number of Affordable and Available Rental Homes Per 100 Extremely Low-Income Renter Households: 25
Percentage of extremely low-income renter households with severe cost burden: 82%
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: No US State Has Enough Affordable Housing for Low-Income Renters – But These 11 States Are the Worst