Report: Affordable Housing Is Harder to Find

April 10, 2008

TEXT: A A A

Real Estate home listings, foreclosures, home values

What's Hot: Foreclosure Markets | Hot Neighborhoods

Travel bookings, destination guides, user reviews

What's Hot: Cruise Ports Close to Home

CHICAGO (AP) - A new report indicates a minimum-wage earner would have to work 97 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, in order to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in the Chicago area.

Mimi Chedid of Housing Action Illinois contends as rents continue to rise across Illinois, workers are spending more of their income on housing, leaving less money for food, clothing, transportation and other basic needs.

She says the persistent shortage of affordable rental housing, combined with the current economic slowdown, threatens the economic security of Illinois families.

In the Chicago- Naperville- Joliet metropolitan area, the monthly fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $944.

By traditional measure, housing is no longer affordable when individuals or families must spend more than 30 percent of their gross income on the expense.


Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.


Search AOL Real Estate
AOL Real Estate on Facebook

Credit and You

Understanding your credit is key to financial success. That's why we seek to provide you with useful tools that help you know your credit status, your rights, and your options.

Did You Know That Your Credit Score Can Change From Month to Month?
Keep track of the ups and downs.
Order Your Credit Report & Score
2010 Credit Report | 2010 Credit Score.