Rental Housing Costs Increased 28% Since 2000

A person must earn at least $28,475 a year to afford the fair market rent on a one-bedroom apartment in the U.S. in 2006.

1 minute read

December 13, 2006, 8:13 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

"The cost of affordable rental housing has risen 28 percent in the past seven years, far outpacing the wages of those who need it most, according to a new report released Tuesday.

'Out of Reach,' the annual report of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), found that housing affordability is most difficult for minimum-wage earners but is also tough for those who earned the median hourly wage ($14.57) last year.

In 2006, what the NLIHC calls the 'national housing wage' rose to $16.31 for a two-bedroom rental, from $15.78 last year. That is the hourly wage required to afford the rent and utilities of a modest market-rate rental home without having to spend more than 30 percent of one's gross income, a commonly accepted measure of housing affordability."

Thanks to Danilo Pelletiere

FULL STORY: http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/12/news/economy/rental_costs/index.htm?section=money_latest

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in CNNMoney

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