Read “What is Affordable Housing?“

(from Center for Urban Pedagogy)

Housing Cost Burden – Renters in NY State

This chart shows the percentage of renter-occupied units spending 30% or more of household income on rent and utilities in New York State in  2011.

This measure is an indicator of the portion of a household’s income that is consumed by costs of renting.  Expenses such as rent, utility costs and other fees take away money that could be saved or invested in other assets.

54.4% of New York state renters are cost-burdened

Rank: 41 out of 51 (50 states plus Washington, DC) — making New York one of the least affordable states.

Source: CFED Asset and Opportunity Scorecard    Download NY Housing Scorecard

New York State Out of Reach 2012 Report

In New York, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,283.  In order to afford this level of rent and utilities – without paying more than 30% of income on housing – a household must earn $4,278 monthly or $51,337 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $24.68.

In New York, a minimum wage worker earns an hourly wage of $7.25.  In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 136 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.  Or a household must include 3.4 minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.

In New York, the estimated mean (average) wage for a renter is $21.45.  In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 46 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.  Or, working 40 hours per week year-round, a household must include 1.2 workers earning the mean renter wage in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.

In Westchester County, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,580.  In order to afford this level of rent and utilities – without paying more than 30% of income on housing – a household must earn $5,266 monthly or $63,200 annually.  Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $30.38.   A household in Westchester County would need to include the equivalent 4.2 minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.

For more information, see the New York State Out of Reach 2012 Report.

Westchester County – Housing Reports and Resources

Westchester County Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (2004)

Mt. Vernon Department of Buildings

City of Mt. Vernon – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning