Out of Reach 2005


Where the Numbers Come From
Sample Data: Anycounty, Anystate

Location Number of Households
Total Households Renter Households Renter Households as Percent 
of Total Households
Anycounty  1,132,886 368,339 33%
2000 U.S. Census. Number of renter households divided by total 
number of households (368,339 / 1,132,886 = .33). 
Multiply by 100 (.33 x 100 = 33%).
 
2004 Family Income 
Location 2004 Annual
Median Income (AMI)1  (HUD)
Maximum Affordable2 Monthly Housing Cost by % of Family AMI
Annual Monthly 30% of AMI 30% 50% 80% 100%
Anycounty  $58,300 $4,858 $17,490 $437 $729 $1,166 $1,458
Developed by HUD, based on 2000 Census family median income estimates. Annual median income divided by 12 months ($58,300 / 12 = $4,858), AMI multiplied by .3 ($58,300 x .3 = $17,490). Multiply Family AMI by percent of AMI given (30% = .3) and then by by .3 to get maximum amount that can be spent on housing for it to be affordable ($58,300 x .30 = $17,490, $17,490 x .3 = $5,247). Divide by 12 to obtain monthly amount ($5,247 / 12 = $437).
 
2005 Fair Market Rents (FMR)3 by Number of Bedrooms
Location Zero One Two Three Four
Anycounty  $549 $664 $835 $1,161 $1,367
Developed by HUD, updated yearly based on Consumer Price Index data or HUD regional rent change factors developed from Random Digit Dialing surveys. See Appendix A.
 
2004 Renter Households 
Location Estimated Renter Median Annual Income Income Needed to Afford 2BR FMR as Percent of Renter Median Number Earning 30% of AMI or Less Unable to Afford Rent (2000)
Number Earning 30-50% of AMI Unable to Afford Rent (2000)
Monthly
Rent Affordable at Renter Median
Anycounty  $34,101 98% 49,510 43,403 $853
In Anycounty, Anystate, in 1999, renters earned $30,063. The AMI figure used by HUD for 2004 is 113% of the 1999 AMI. This percentage is applied to the current AMI data as the best available method to estimate renter income in non-census years (1.13 x $30,063 = $34,101).  Multiply the FMR for the number of bedrooms indicated by 12 to get yearly rental cost (2BR: $835 x 12 = $10,020). Then divide by .30 to determine the total income needed to afford $10,020 per year in rent ($10,020 / .30 = $33,400). Divide this number by the Renter Annual Income ($33,400 / $34,101 = .98). Multiply by 100 (.98 x 100 = 98%). Based on 2001 CHAS data. Based on 2001 CHAS data. Multiply Renter Annual Income by .3 to get maximum amount that can be spent on housing for it to be affordable ($34,101 x .30 = $10,230). Divide by 12 to obtain monthly amount ($10,230 / 12 = $853).
 
Income Needed to Afford FMR
Location Annual Amount Percent of Family AMI
Zero 
Bedrooms
One 
Bedroom
Two 
Bedrooms
Three 
Bedrooms
Four 
Bedrooms
Zero 
Bedrooms
One 
Bedroom
Two 
Bedrooms
Three 
Bedrooms
Four 
Bedrooms
Anycounty  $21,960 $26,560 $33,400 $46,440 $54,680 38% 46% 57% 80% 94%
Multiply the FMR for the number of bedrooms indicated by 12 to get yearly rental cost (2BR: $835 x 12 = $10,020). Then divide by .30 to determine the total income needed to afford $10,020 per year in rent ($10,020 / .30 = $33,400). The ratio of income needed for a unit with the number of bedrooms indicated (1BR: $26,560) divided by family AMI ($58,300) multiplied by 100 (($26,560/$58,300) x 100 = 46%).
 
 Location  Housing Wage 
Hourly Wage Needed to Afford 
(@ 40 hrs./wk.)
As % of Minimum Wage 
(Anystate=$5.15)
Zero 
Bedroom 
FMR 
One 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Two 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Three 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Four 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Zero 
Bedroom 
FMR 
One 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Two 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Three 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Four 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Anycounty  $10.56 $12.77 $16.06 $22.33 $26.29 205% 248% 312% 434% 510%
Divide income needed to afford the FMR for a unit with the specified number of bedrooms (2BR: $33,400) by 52 (weeks per year) ($33,400 / 52 = $642.31). Then divide by 40, for the number of hours per work week ($642.31 / 40 = $16.06). Divide Housing Wage by Anystate's minimum wage and multiply by 100 ($16.06 / $5.15 = 3.12, 3.12 x 100 = 312%).
 
Location  Work Hours/Week 
Necessary at Minimum 
Wage to Afford 
(Anystate=$5.15)
Zero 
Bedroom 
FMR 
One 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Two 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Three 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Four 
Bedroom 
FMR 
Anycounty  82 99 125 173 204
Divide income needed to afford the FMR for a unit with the specified number of bedrooms (2BR:$33,400) by 52 (weeks per year). Then divide by $5.15, Anystate's minimum wage. ($33,400/52 = $642.31; $642.31/$5.15 = 125 hours).
 
C H A R T   F O O T N O T E S
1. HUD, 2004.
2. "Affordable" rents represent the generally accepted standard of spending not more than 30% of income on housing costs.
3. HUD, 2005.
4. Annual income of 30% of AMI or less is the federal standard for extremely low income households. Does not include HUD-specific adjustments.


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