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Housing Becomes More Critical Day-by-Day

As we approach the end of the year, there is new and unsettling--but hardly surprising--news that the problems faced by working families trying to find…

By Bob Reid | Updated on December 04, 2002

As we approach the end of the year, there is new and unsettling–but hardly surprising–news that the problems faced by working families trying to find a decent and affordable home are increasing. The National Housing Conference and its research subsidiary, the Center for Housing Policy, have released a new study entitled America’s Working Families and the Housing Landscape, which reaffirms the fact that working the equivalent of a full-time job does not guarantee American families a decent, affordable place to live.

The report, released on Nov. 19, indicates that the number of working families spending more than half their income on shelter rose 67% to almost five million from 1997 to 2001. There was a 30% rise just between 1999 and 2001.

The report makes clear that this is not just a problem for renters as some might all too quickly presume. In fact, in 2001, working families with critical housing needs were more likely to be homeowners than renters–53% homeowners versus 47% renters. Between 1997 and 2001, the number of homeowners with critical housing needs rose by about 64% compared to a 55% for renters.

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