Critical Housing Needfor Working Families

A study by the National Housing Conference has revealed that 3.7-million working families in the United States are experiencing a critical housing need.

These families spend more than 50% of their income for housing and/or live in severely substandard conditions. Moreover, this figure represents a worsening situation for low-to moderate-income families.

From 1997 to 1999 (the most recent nationwide data available), the overall number of these families with critical housing needs rose by nearly 700,000. That represents a 23% increase in two years. The primary culprit was the rising cost of housing, affecting 16% more homeowners and 38% more renters.