Out of Reach

Out of Reach

September 2000
How to Use the Numbers


Sample Data: Rock County, Wisconsin
2000 Family Income
Location 2000 Estimated Median Family Income (HUD) Maximum Affordable Monthly Housing Cost by % of Family AMI
Annual Monthly 30% 50% 80% 100%
Rock County   $61,028  $5,086  $458  $763  $1,221  $1,526
The median annual family income is $61,028. The median monthly family income is $5,086. For an extremely low income family, earning 30% of the Area Median Income, monthly rent of $458 or less is considered affordable. For a very low income family, earning 50% of the Area Median Income, monthly rent of $763 or less is considered affordable. For a moderately low income family, earning 80% of the Area Median Income, monthly rent of $1,221 or less is considered affordable. For a family, earning the Area Median Income, monthly rent of $1,526 or less is considered affordable.
 
2000 Estimated Renter Household Income
Location 2000 Estimated Renter Household Income (NLIHC) Maximum Affordable Monthly Housing Cost by % of Family AMI
Annual Monthly 30% 50% 80% 100%
Rock County   $32,227  $2,686  $242  $403  $645  $806
NLIHC estimates that the median income of Rock County renters is $32,227. NLIHC estimates that the median monthly income of Rock County renters is $2,686. For an extremely low income family, earning 30% of the estimated renter median income, monthly rent of $242 or less is considered affordable. For an very low income family, earning 50% of the estimated renter median income, monthly rent of $403 or less is considered affordable. For a moderately low income family, earning 80% of the estimated renter median income, monthly rent of $645 or less is considered affordable. For a family earning the estimated renter median income, monthly rent of $806 or less is considered affordable.
 
Average Monthly Amount for Households Receiving Federal Assistance, December 1999
Location Maximum Monthly SSI Benefit Maximum Affordable Housing
Cost Per Month
Wisconsin   $337  $101
Wisconsin residents receiving SSI benefits receive $337 monthly. An SSI recipient can afford monthly rent of no more than $101.

SSI data is available only for states, not for counties, MSA, or nonmetro areas.

2001 Fair Market Rents by Number of Bedrooms
Location Zero One Two Three Four
Rock County   $358  $452  $559  $700  $785
The Fair Market Rent for a studio or efficiency rental unit is $358. The Fair Market Rent for a 1 bedroom rental unit is $452. The Fair Market Rent for a 2 bedroom rental unit is $559. The Fair Market Rent for a 3 bedroom rental unit is $700. The Fair Market Rent for a 4 bedroom rental unit is $785.
 
Income Needed to Afford FMR
Location Amount Percent of Family AMI Percent of Estimated
Renter Median
One
Bedroom		 Two
Bedroom		 Three
Bedroom		 One
Bedroom		 Two
Bedroom		 Three
Bedroom		 One
Bedroom		 Two
Bedroom		 Three
Bedroom
Rock County  $18,080  $22,360  $28,000  30%  37%  46%  56%  69%  87%
For a 1 bedroom unit to be affordable, a renter would need to have an annual income of $18,080. For a 2 bedroom unit to be affordable, a renter would need to have an annual income of $22,360. For a 3 bedroom unit to be affordable, a renter would need to have an annual income of $28,000. The income needed to afford a 1 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 30% of the median family income.  The income needed to afford a 2 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 37% of the median family income.  The income needed to afford a 3 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 46% of the median family income.  The income needed to afford a 1 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 56% of the estimated renter median income.  The income needed to afford a 2 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 69% of the estimated renter median income.  The income needed to afford a 3 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent represents 87% of the estimated renter median income. 
 
Location Estimated Number of Renters Unable to Afford FMR
One
Bedroom		 Two
Bedroom		 Three
Bedroom
Rock County  28%  35%  44%
An estimated 28% of renter households are unable to afford the Fair Market Rent for a 1 bedroom unit. An estimated 35% of renter households are unable to afford the Fair Market Rent for a 2 bedroom unit. An estimated 44% of renter households are unable to afford the Fair Market Rent for a 3 bedroom unit.
 
 Location
Housing Wage
Hourly Wage Needed to Afford
(@ 40 hrs./wk.)
Percent Change
in 2BR
Housing Wage
(1999-2000)
As % of Minimum Wage
($5.15/hr.)
One
Bedroom
FMR
Two
Bedroom
FMR
Three
Bedroom
FMR
One
Bedroom
FMR
Two
Bedroom
FMR
Three
Bedroom
FMR
Rock County  $8.69  $10.75  $13.46  2.50%  169%  209%  261%
A renter household would need to earn $8.69 per hour for a 1 bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent to be affordable. A renter household would need to earn $10.75 per hour for a 2 bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent to be affordable. A renter household would need to earn $13.46 per hour for a 3 bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent to be affordable. Between 1999 and 2000, the amount a renter would have to earn in order to afford a 2 bedroom unit increased by 2.50%. The housing wage for a 1 bedroom unit represents 169% of the minimum wage. The housing wage for a 2 bedroom unit represents 209% of the minimum wage. The housing wage for a 3 bedroom unit represents 261% of the minimum wage.
 
Location
Work Hours/Week
Necessary at Minimum
Wage ($5.15) to Afford
One
Bedroom
FMR
Two
Bedroom
FMR
Three
Bedroom
FMR
Rock County  68  83  105
A renter earning the minimum wage must work 68 hours per week to afford a 1 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent. A renter earning the minimum wage must work 83 hours per week to afford a 2 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent. A renter earning the minimum wage must work 105 hours per week to afford a 3 bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent.