Housing is “affordable” if no more than 30% of a household’s monthly income is needed for rent, mortgage payments and utilities. Households that are cost–burdened may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. In Travis County, 38% of householdsare cost–burdened.
Housing costs have dramatically increased. Austin is now one of the most expensive places to live in Texas. As Austin grows, housing affordability becomes more of a challenge for more people at more income ranges. Socioeconomic segregation in Austin is also on the increase. The lack of affordable homes in all parts of town furthers this segregation and leads to concentrations of poverty.
To learn more about this issue and discover ways to get involved visit:
• City of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development
• HousingWorks
