When I mention that a big part of what we do here at Love Wins Ministries revolves around the homeless, many people automatically think I mean people with no jobs. People with no money. And sometimes, that is true. However, a lot of the people I know do work… they just do not earn enough to survive.
If these folks have a job, why are they homeless? There are a lot of reasons, but let me give you one: lack of affordable housing. Here is an example – I know of a guy that lives in the shelter. Right now his Mom is keeping his daughter, whom he has custody of. But he really wants to get an apartment, so they can be together. His Mom really wants this too.
But look at what he is up against.
Most sources agree that in order for your rent to be considered affordable, it should be no more than 30% of the renter’s income.
In Wake County, a two bedroom apartment has a Fair Market Rent* of $797 a month. To stay within the 30% guideline, my friend would need a household income of $31,880 a year. If he worked 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, he needs to make $15.33 an hour to be able to afford to live there. And make no mistake, many property managers will not rent to you if you do not meet that 30% criteria.
Put another way, at minimum wage, he would need 2.3 full time 40 hour a week jobs, working 52 weeks a year to make that two bedroom apartment affordable.
Who does not make $15.33 an hour?
Home Health Workers
Cashiers
Retail Sales People
Bank Tellers
Receptionists
Security Guards
Restaurant Workers
Preschool Teachers
Many nonprofit employees
In addition, most apartment complexes want at least a one month deposit, in our case $797, in addition to the first month of rent, another $797. If you are keeping track, that is $1594, plus whatever water and electrical deposits he would have to pay. Before he puts a can of beans in his kitchen, he has to have over $1600 in cash, or, if he is making the $15.33 an hour he needs to afford this apartment, he needs to have saved about 130 hours of pay after taxes.
And he still would have no furniture, no food, no beds… nothing but a place inside.
And people wonder why the poor sometimes give up hope.
*A wealth of information on housing policy can be found at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Here is the page for Wake County.