In early January, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its American Housing Survey (AHS) results. The AHS is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and is the most comprehensive housing survey in the country. It provides information on housing types, characteristics, and costs for both owners and renters.
The most recent results include 2015 statistics for 25 metropolitan areas around the country. In the Raleigh metro area, which covers Wake, Franklin and Johnston Counties, the median monthly housing cost is $1,034 per month. With so much growth in the region (Wake County is growing by 64 people per day!), it’s not surprising that housing costs are increasing, too.
As we grow, we must keep in mind the need for affordable housing. The AHS survey shows 21.8% of Raleigh’s households are cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing and may have difficulty affording other necessities.
At Habitat Wake, we believe that every person has something to contribute and something to gain from creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live. This year, we’ll build 60 houses for families who otherwise couldn’t afford a home on the traditional market. We’re committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and together we can do more to ensure everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.
You can visit the American Housing Survey website to explore more of the results.