Investing in vibrant, sustainable communities

The Need
We all benefit from creating safe, decent places to live. When workers can afford to live close to their job, highway congestion decreases, open spaces reappear, and sprawling growth is checked. Affordable housing means healthier, more vibrant communities and greater economic opportunity.

Definition
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing that is defined as affordable costs less than 30% of a household’s monthly income.  Imagine being a minimum wage employee earning $1,200 a month and trying to find a decent place to live for $360 a month. 

Local Trends
Individuals have to earn twice the minimum wage just to afford the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment. Employers are finding it difficult to retain and recruit employees near job centers. One out of every five children in Charleston lives in substandard housing.

Solutions
We all benefit from creating safe, decent places to live. From decreased traffic congestion to lower levels of crime, to open green spaces, to greater quality of life, communities thrive when housing is affordable.