Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD’s Definition
HUD defines “Affordable Housing as those households that are paying 30 percent or less of their income on housing.” So, singles, couples and families “who pay more than 30 percent of their income or housing are considered cost burdened.”
HUD says, “Those cost-burdened families may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care.”
How Does Someone Qualify for Section 8 Housing?
HUD’s website says, “You need to verify your income with HUD to qualify for low-income housing. You can use IRS tax returns and recent pay stubs to do this. If you get into a public housing or Section 8 unit, HUD will look at your income documents annually to make sure you remain eligible.”
How Affordable is Rent Today?
HUD cites a study that MHProNews has previously referenced.
“According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in no community in the nation can a family afford a modest two bedroom apartment on a minimum wage income.”
Is Housing Important to Health & Well Being?
During the run-up to HUD Secretary Caron’s confirmation, one of the slams against him by critics was that he had no experience in the housing field.
But a point that Carson often made – the relationship between health and housing – is also made by a study from prestigious John Hopkins University.
Quoting in part, “Affordable and safe housing is important to the well-being and health of families. Without adequate housing, families have trouble managing their daily lives. … Low-income families may not have enough money to cover other vital needs, such as food, utilities, or health-related expenses if housing costs are too high.”
How Affordable is Manufactured Housing?
The Government Accountability Office did a study that MHProNews has previously reported, and is worth revisiting.
That study showed that manufactured homes are the most affordable form of housing in America.
See the GAO affordability graphic above. The download to the full 2014 GAO report is linked here. ##
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