For Far Too Many Residents of Franklin County,

According to report findings released by the Community Shelter Board, in conjunction with the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, low-income workers in the greater Columbus area must earn more than twice the federal minimum wage or $12.04 per hour, if they are to afford rent for the average two-bedroom apartment. The report, entitled Out of Reach 2001: America’s Growing Wage – Rent Disparity, takes a detailed and much needed look at the ever growing disparity between rental housing costs and the minimum wage.

"Out of Reach shows all too well, that the affordable housing crisis in this country continues to worsen," says Barbara Poppe, the Community Shelter Board’s Executive Director. "At a time when the Federal Government seems dead set against any new affordable housing initiatives, more and more Americans are finding themselves on the short end of the stick so-to-speak," Poppe continued.

The report goes on to find that, among other things, the number of poor, unassisted renters in this country is at an all-time high, while the number of housing units available to them is decreasing. The amount one must earn to afford a one, two, or three-bedroom apartment anywhere in the country (called the housing wage) usually exceeds the minimum wage by a factor of two or more. Low wage workers are faced with impossible demands on their ability to live in safe, decent, and affordable housing.

The situation in Franklin County is no exception. According to the report:

• Minimum wage workers in Franklin County must work at least 73 hours per week to afford rent for a one-bedroom apartment, 94 hours per week to afford rent for a two-bedroom apartment, and 119 hours per week to afford rent for a three-bedroom apartment.

Things appear to be getting worse. In Franklin County, the amount one must earn to afford an apartment continues to increase. In fact, in 1997, someone living in Franklin County would have had to earn $9.50 per hour to afford an average two-bedroom apartment. In 2001, that person would have to make at least $12.08 per hour to afford that same apartment. Please visit the COHHIO web page at www.cohhio.org for additional county-specific information.

In addition to documenting the severity of this crisis, the report outlines some steps that could be taken at both the Federal and State levels, to make housing more affordable. At the Federal level, the report calls for a new housing production initiative, through the creation of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. At the State level, the report calls for the Taft Administration to develop a true affordable housing strategy that would serve as a blueprint for directing much needed resources.

The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration, and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve their housing crisis. The Community Shelter Board allocates $7.0 million annually to support programs at 17 agencies. Last year, these programs served more than 11,000 individuals. The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.

The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) is a state-wide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to ending homelessness and to promoting safe, decent, and affordable housing for all, with an emphasis on assisting low-income persons and those with special needs. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) is the only national organization dedicated solely to ending America’s affordable housing crisis.

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