CNCounty News

County News Hot Topics: Housing Affordability

Image of istock_ladderart_a1226ir1590-2.jpg

Key Takeaways

For a growing number of Americans, the cost of housing is crowding out the rest of their household budget. That’s forcing
many families into precarious living situations that affect their safety, their health, the length of their commutes and their chance to build generational wealth or to contribute to a vibrant community where they feel like they have a stake.

In 18% of counties, households must spend more than 3.5 times their annual income to afford a typical home. Nearly a quarter (24%) of households that occupy rental units are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their annual income on rent. According to Freddie Mac, there is a shortage of more than 3.8 million homes — both rental and owner-occupied — across the country, and it will take more than 20 years to close the housing unit gap despite the recent acceleration in development, according to the National Association of Realtors. These statistics lend context to a problem that counties know all too well: Housing affordability is increasingly out of reach for residents. 

Articles from this Hot Topic

Related News

Clerk Terry Wilbur testifies, on behalf of NACo, before Congress on May 7, advocating for the reauthorization of the Brownfields Program.
County News

County official urges Congress to boost brownfields cleanup funding

Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur told the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment that brownfields can present land use challenges and negatively affect property values, but can provide counties with an opportunity to revitalize their economies and communities.

Aerial view of drinking water treatment plants for big city from water management
Advocacy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces actions to combat PFAS contamination

On April 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new suite of upcoming actions to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These measures, outlined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, aim to strengthen scientific understanding, enhance enforcement and build partnerships with impacted communities, including counties and other local governments.

County Clerk Terry Wilbur Testifying
Advocacy

NACo testifies before Congress on brownfields revitalization

On May 7, Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur testifiedon behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled “Cleaning Up the Past, Building the Future: The Brownfields Program”.