Tuesday, Sep 27 2011 3:47PM
Poverty increases, increasing the need for affordable housing
During the recession, poverty rates rose in most states across America, Reuters reports, and in turn have created a substantial need for more affordable housing.
Census Bureau data indicates that 3.3 million people in the South, 2.4 million in the West, 1.6 million in the Midwest and nearly 1 million in the East have fallen below the poverty line since 2007. In total, the poverty rate increased in 46 states during that time span.
This increase in poverty may put even more pressure on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create more affordable housing units. Brian Sullivan, spokesman for HUD, told the Washington Post that the agency will unfortunately not be able to fulfill its initial projection of
housing assistance for 30,000 families, but are doing the best they can.
According to Habitat for Humanity, 5.1 million American households make less than 50 percent of the median income and receive no government assistance for rent. In addition, these households are paying more than 50 percent of their income for rent and utilities.