In some markets, as few as 2.6 percent of renter households could afford the cost of an average home.
Just 15.1 percent of renter households in the United States could afford to buy an average-priced home in their area, according to an analysis from Zillow.
The crisis is worst in, unsurprisingly, West Coast markets, writes Lance Lambert in Fast Company. In San Diego, just 2.6 percent of renters could afford to buy a home. San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City round out the top five most inaccessible markets, with the percentage of renters who could afford homes ranging from 2.7 percent to 3.8 percent.
The report notes, “The fact that the majority of families don’t have the income necessary to comfortably afford the typical monthly mortgage cost in their local market suggests that removing roadblocks to building more affordable housing would have the most significant impact on improving access to home ownership.”
FULL STORY: Housing affordability is so stretched that fewer than 3% of renters can afford to buy in some markets
A Big Picture of the US Housing Market
A new report highlights the factors driving up housing costs around the country.
Rents Rose Between December and January
After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Tenant Advocates: Rent Gouging Rampant After LA Wildfires
The Rent Brigade says it's found evidence of thousands of likely instances of rent gouging. In some cases, the landlords accused of exploiting the fires had made campaign donations to those responsible for enforcement.
Seattle’s Upzoning Plan is Ambitious, Light on Details
The city passed a ‘bare-bones’ framework to comply with state housing laws that paves the way for more middle housing, but the debate over how and where to build is just getting started.
DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada