Issue in Focus

Affordable Housing

Update: Sep. 07, 2010 -

Work has begun on the Glades' first Habitat for Humanity home, located in Pahokee. /via Palm Beach Post

Issue Overview

For housing to be affordable, it shouldn't cost more than 30% of your family's income. A recent study of housing in Palm Beach County found that nearly 35,000 households spend more than half of their income on rent.

Affordable housing is a problem in Palm Beach County for a variety of reasons.

  • Income per person has not risen much in the past decade, but cost of living has.
  • Thousands of rental units were converted into higher-cost condos in the past decade.
  • The 2003-05 housing market boom caused sharp increases in rents.
  • It's difficult to establish new low-cost units because of a complex approval system for new construction.
  • The NIMBY (not in my backyard) sentiment makes it difficult to find locations for low-cost ...

...units.

  • In recent years, community programs focused on helping families achieve home ownership, rather than increasing availability of affordable rental properties.
    • Many local organizations work to combat high housing prices and resulting homelessness.  To make a difference in your community on this issue, consider working with Housing Partnership or volunteering to help with Palm Beach County's ten year plan to end homelessness, ten2end.

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