New Data Shows Who Can and Can’t Afford to Live in Providence
Monday, August 19, 2013
Who can - and who can't - afford rents and homeownership in Providence is the focus of a recent report of the National Housing Conference. GoLocal asked local experts for their take on the implications.
However, a recent report shows that if you're a bank teller, child care worker, or retail salesperson trying to live in Providence, whether it be looking to own a home -- or simply renting -- the current climate could make it difficult, if not impossible, to do so.
The National Housing Conference and Center for Housing Policy recently published its recent "Paycheck to Paycheck" data for the first quarter of 2013 which shows graphs that compare wages and housing costs in 207 metro areas across the nation, showing median incomes for 76 occupations against median home prices and the income needed to afford them -- as well as fair market rents and the income necessary.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOf the 76 occupations looked at by the National Housing Conference, 20 occupations fell below the income threshold needed to afford a one bedroom rental in Providence; 30 below the income needed to afford a two bedroom rental, and 46 below the level listed for homeownership. 30 occupations were above all levels.
See examples of occupations that fall short of income thresholds -- and what those levels are -- in the slideshow BELOW.
"This information further supports a problem that's been in Rhode Island for a long time," said Linda Katz with the Economic Progress Institute. "25% of RI renters spend more than 50% of their income on housing related expenses."
Nicole Lagace, Interim Director of HousingWorks RI, noted that high housing costs presented an issue not only to residents but the state as a whole.
"High housing cost burdens put Rhode Island at a distinct competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining workers," Lagace told GoLocal.
Looking at the Data
The database available on the National Housing Conference website allows visitors to search job parameters in urban markets to see how affordable housing might, or might not, be.
"We want the city to be able to have a diverse mix of folks by income. What this doesn't tell us is where these folks are in fact living. I don't think per say that these people who aren't meeting these levels [for renting and homeownership] live outside of Providence. I would imagine that other urban areas, like Pawtucket, face a similar scenario," said Katz.
"This report shows why we see people doubled-up in housing, as well as homelessness among working folks. If you're a young person, and have roommates, maybe that's OK. If you're a single parent in your 30, that's another story."
Katz continued, "We need subsidies in place for people to rent apartments on Providence, but we also need strategies for people to gain more skills to move up wage ladder."
Laura Hart with the Department of Labor said that in total, there are currently 14,000 RI residents earning between $7.00 and 7.99 an hour. "There are an estimated 6,000 earning less than the minimum, half of which earn under $3.00/hour - likely wait staff," said Hart.
"As for minimum wage, the Governor supported the last two efforts to raise the minimum wage in RI. From a workforce development point of view, we have consistently invested in efforts to train workers for projected job growth in high-demand AND high-wage areas," she continued.
However, Lagace with HousingWorks RI said that addressing minimum wage was just "one facet of the issue."
"Even if workers earned twice Rhode Island's minimum wage, they would not be able to afford the average two-bedroom rent in the state," said Lagace.
Bigger Picture of Housing and Jobs Needs
"HousingWorks RI's analysis has consistently shown an affordability gap between earnings and housing costs throughout Rhode Island, that result in severe housing cost burdens, particularly for renter households," Lagace told GoLocal. "Some of our most recent analysis revealed that workers in Rhode Island’s top three occupation groups earn less than the hourly wage needed to afford the average 2-bedroom rent in Rhode Island."
Lagace notes that policymakers "must consider high housing cost burdens when developing policies to promote economic growth."
"Typically, states have a two-pronged approach to funding affordable housing that involves investing in the development and ongoing operation of these homes. Rhode Island has a $25 million housing bond to help fund the development of affordable housing, and the General Assembly appropriated $750,000 for rental subsidies in the FY2014 budget," said Lagace -- noting examples of Rhode Island's neighboring states as a direct comparison.
"Both Connecticut and Massachusetts recognize that affordable housing is essential for a stronger economy and invest more than twice as much, per capita, on affordable housing than Rhode Island," she said.
Suppy and Demand
Aaron Renn, a self-described, "urban analyst" who writes about state and local affairs and policy at his website The Urbanophile, GoLocalProv, as well as other outlets, noted that the data presented in the report points to a number of larger reaching issues.
"There are places that are extremely expensive, and some that are on the other end, "said Renn. "I don't think that the East Side will ever be that economically diverse. I think this holds true to places like Cranston and Warwick.
"I think a diversity of housing options is important. I don't think that addressing the minimum wage is the issue per say," he continued. "Why does it have to be once a dishwasher, always a dishwasher? We need to get people qualified over time and continue to support education, we need to eliminate disincentives to advancement. I think the problem is we don't have a lot of jobs. Period. We need higher skilled jobs, and economic development for a lifetime of low-wage labor."
Renn noted however that he thought that suppressed housing supply also played a factor. "Restrictions on housing development doesn't help, as that can push housing prices up."
Looking at the big picture, Renn said that there were a number of factors to look at in terms of affordable housing -- and easy answers might not be so simple to come by.
"There's not a magic setting on the dial," said Renn. "And there's no such thing as a free lunch. Different parts of the country have different value sets. In Rhode Island, we need to come to terms with costs."
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