For Many Low-Income Households, Even Low-Valued Homes Aren’t Affordable
Lower-income households spend 23 percent of their incomes on mortgages for homes valued in the lower third -- more than twice the 11.1 percent that a typical high-income homeowner pays for a home valued in top third of homes nationally. The inequality is worse in pricey coastal markets.
Q2 2017 Housing Affordability: The Squeeze Continues
Rents are far less affordable than mortgages, taking nearly twice the share of income. It's an issue that's become apparent among low-income renters as the eviction and homelessness crises worsen in some areas.
Bremerton’s Affordable Housing Just Got Closer to Seattle – But There’s a Catch
A new high-speed ferry service connecting downtown Seattle with the city of Bremerton promises to make a number of more-affordable communities accessible to Seattle home shoppers. But because Bremerton isn’t part of the Greater Seattle market, some borrowers seeking even relatively affordable homes may need to do some potentially costly mortgage gymnastics to make their home purchase in and around Bremerton work.
Homes for Sale in More Than Half of Large Metros Less Affordable Than They Used to Be
Real prices on homes for sale is hurting affordability in many areas. For example, the median home available to buy in metro Los Angeles is currently listed at $650,000, which would take up 47 percent of the median income for that area.
How Rising Rates Affect Mortgage Affordability
If rates rise to 5 percent and homes continue to grow in value as expected, the share of income spent on a typical U.S. mortgage will jump to 17.9 percent. At 6 percent interest, the share becomes 20 percent. And at 7 percent interest, it becomes 22.2 percent.
Without Spending More, Some Renters Could Likely Afford to Buy Above-Average Homes
With rents continuing to climb and mortgage rates staying low, many renters find themselves gazing over the homeownership fence and wondering if the grass really is greener.
Empty Nest Households Are on the Rise
Pricey markets and those with weak labor markets have high concentrations of empty nests. Low densities of empty nests are found in booming cities with strong job markets, new family-oriented areas, and retirement communities.
Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Live Far From Healthy Food, Some by Choice and Some Not
For many people, using a car to reach healthy food stores is a lifestyle choice. But 20 percent of the country’s non-rural population – or 47.3 million people – have both low incomes and low access to fresh food. Of the households living in food deserts, 7.9 percent don’t have access to a vehicle and must rely on public transportation or walking to reach an area with healthy food.
The Structures of Poverty: Renter Poverty Rates Are Highest in Low-Density Multifamily Units
As the poverty rate among America’s homeowners has trended downward over the past four decades, it has steadily marched upward among renters. Poverty rates are highest among black renters and single parents, and in older, low-density multifamily rental units, which are often found in suburbs.
Healthy Housing: Where Higher Rents Are Correlated With Worse Health
There is a strong correlation nationwide between communities with higher median rents and a larger proportion of local residents in poor health – even when incomes in those communities are similar.
