Out of Reach 2003
National Housing Conference FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2003
Contact: Michele Anapol
(202) 466-2121 Ext. 226
manapol@nhc.orgStatement by Conrad Egan
President of the National Housing ConferencePrepared in Response to the Release of “Out of Reach” by the
National Low Income Housing Coalition“As one of the most widely-respected and influential annual reports on rental housing affordability in America, this year’s “Out of Reach” provides another detailed economic and demographic look at the serious affordable housing problems facing our families nationwide.
Among its numerous compelling findings, “Out of Reach” documents the least affordable Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on the Housing Wage necessary to afford a two bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent. According to the new data, 66 percent of MSAs have Housing Wages of at least twice the established minimum wage. Also, although those listed as least affordable encompass what many would normally expect, including San Francisco, Boston and Washington – with the average hourly Housing Wage necessary to rent an apartment at $34.13, $27.29 and $23.42 respectively – it is important to consider the related social and economic consequences for these areas.
For example, like their less expensive counterparts, they still need vital community workers such as police officers, firefighters and nurses. Yet, many of these workers cannot afford to live in the communities they serve, according to data from NHC’s own research affiliate The Center for Housing Policy. In addition, the overall findings from “Out of Reach” are particularly disturbing when considering that many low- to moderate-income families across the nation are often forced to choose between paying their rent and health care or even basic necessities.
Ultimately, “Out of Reach” documents a problem that has increased annually, even during the late 1990’s, a time of economic prosperity. Today’s announcement will help draw additional attention to this important issue, but meeting our objectives for ensuring decent, affordable housing nationwide will take increased local, state and federal support. We must also work to preserve integral housing programs that have been threatened recently, such as HOPE VI and Section 8 vouchers, and consider additional future options for meeting the growing affordable housing needs of this nation.”
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Formed in 1931, the National Housing Conference (NHC) is the nation’s oldest public policy and housing advocacy organization. A coalition of affordable housing experts from the public and private sectors, it is an essential source of broad, nonpartisan information concerning national housing policy. For more information on NHC and its publications, go to www.nhc.org.
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