Did You Know: Affordable Low-income Housing

Did You Know: Affordable Low-income Housing

Did you know that the cause of homelessness for many is lack of affordable housing? The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes details the housing shortage currently in the United States. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) found a shortage of 7.4 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income (ELI) households. ELI are households with income at or below the poverty level or 30% of their area median income.

The NLIHC reported that for every 100 ELI Households, there were only 35 affordable and available houses. This leaves 65 families or individuals unable to afford a roof over their head, most likely sleeping on a friend’s couch, in a cheap hotel room, in a shelter, or on the streets. For those 35% that can find affordable housing, 71% of them are severely cost burdened—spending more than half of their income on rent and utilities. These families or individuals are living financially burned, trying to make ends meet while keeping their home.

In Wichita alone, there are currently 80,826 renter households and research shows they need to be making $15.13 to afford a 2-bedroom rental. HumanKind Ministries (HK) believes that change begins in our community. HK operates three, low-income apartment complexes that offer more than just housing, but wrap-around case management, life skills classes, and a positive community while families’ or individuals’ transition from poverty or homelessness to self-sustaining independence.

Because of the generosity of our community, we are able to operate these much-needed apartments. Please consider donating to help us continue to provide these services and look for areas of need and potential growth. You can donate online at https://www.humankindwichita.org/donate-now/ or at our Administrative Building at 829 N Market St.

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