Study: Greater Worcester housing is unaffordable for median renters
Photo | Timothy Doyle
Housing in Worcester
A one-bedroom apartment at fair market rate is unaffordable for the median renter in Greater Worcester, according to annual report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a Washington D.C. nonprofit.
The median household income for Greater Worcester renters is $44,826 per year, according to the national report, which was released locally by the Worcester nonprofit Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. on Wednesday.
Yet, in Greater Worcester, the income needed to afford a one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent is $46,480 and $59,640 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Affordability is based on a housing budget of 30% for a household.
Things are worse for workers who were found to be essential during the coronavirus pandemic, workers that employers are searching for now.
According to the report, home health and personal care aides have a median wage $18.46 per hour, a retail salesperson $15.57, and a fast-food worker $15.36. However, in order for a studio apartment to be affordable at fair market rate in Greater Worcester, a worker must make $21.21 per hour.
This lack of affordability affects residents and workers, who must work multiple jobs, live in crowded conditions, or move out of the area. In the worst-case scenarios, people are unable to afford a place to live at all and suffer homelessness, according to the report.
This problem affects businesses who are looking for workers, or trying to keep their payroll under control, as well as business community leaders who are trying to attract talent to the city.
The Worcester City Council is beginning to look at inclusionary zoning and has created an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
“We know we need a multi-pronged approach to addressing this growing crisis. It will take both keeping renters stably housed through rental assistance and tenant protection legislation, and increasing affordable housing units through production and other means for those at the lowest income who are at risk of or experiencing displacement and homelessness,” Leah Bradley, executive director of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, said in the press release.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments