NJ Housing Data – NJ is 5th Worst State for Affordable Living
The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s “Out of Reach 2007-2008″ report, combined with research from the Housing and Community Development’s Network, documented that NJ is ranked 5th worst in the nation for affordable housing. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the average hourly housing wage to afford a two-bedroom apartment in NJ is $22.25 per hour. This is only the part of wages that pays rent – not utilities, food, clothing, transportation, insurance, daycare or the many other expenses families need to live (the amount needed to cover all those expenses is referred to as a living wage). Considering that the minimum wage in NJ is $7.15, the average worker would need to hold three full-time jobs to afford rent! The majority of occupations in NJ do not pay anywhere near $22.25 per hour, nor do they cover the living wage which is higher. Occupations including social service workers, preschool teachers, accounting clerks, child care workers, home health aides, school bus drivers, security guards, janitors, hairstylists, receptionists, cashiers, hair stylists – all these jobs pay less than the required wage for a two bedroom home. Even if two of these individuals were married, they still wouldn’t earn enough combined to afford a two bedroom apartment!
Affordable housing, or Workforce Housing, are homes designed to meet the needs of those who work but do not earn enough to meet the incredible demand of overpriced real estate. These individuals keep our daily lives running, and keep our state and national economy moving, yet we do nothing to ensure that they have reasonably priced living accomodations. Be an advocate! Learn the statistics, and speak out for affordable housing in your area. Discuss the need for reasonably priced housing and apartments with those you know. Educate others around you, and demand your elected representatives to fulfill your own COAH requirements. Having affordably priced housing builds strong communities!
