| Over 1/2 of Massachusetts renters (59%) are classified as low income. 39% of Massachusetts renters pay a burdensome amount for housing--more than 30% of their income. In the past five years, the average price of a home in Worcester has risen 57%, while wages have only increased 17%. Of renters in Worcester, 39% are unable to afford Fair Market Rent. Actual prices for a two bedroom apartment range from $725 to $1350, while the Fair Market Rent (according to HUD) should be $681. For a worker earning the state minimum wage of $6.75/hour to afford a two bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent in Worcester, s/he would have to work 94 hours a week. Or, to work a 40 hour week, s/he would need to earn $15.90/hour. |
| Poverty and the Affordable Housing Crisis |
| Food for thought: |
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| These statistics are from the National Low Income Housing Coaltion's 2003 Annual Report. You can look up statistics for any city, county, or state in the country on their website. You can also learn about the latest attemtps to improve the situation. |
| In no state can a person working full time at minimum wage afford to rent a one bedroom house at Fair Market Rent. Does this make any sense? Of course not. What we need in this country is a living wage, not a minimum wage. The federal minimum wage of $5.15/hour has not changed since 1997. But even in states such as Massachusetts which augment the minimum wage, a person still cannot afford Fair Market Rent on a one bedroom apartment. If the United States is such a great country, how can this be? If we can't adequetly take care of our own citizens, how do we think we can "fix" the rest of the world (or certain parts we deem "important")? |
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| To learn more about poverty, hunger, and affordable housing check out these sites: |
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