N.C. facing statewide crisis in affordable rental housing

Many communities in the state are experiencing an affordable housing crisis, which is particularly severe for those who rent, according to a new report published by the Center for Urban and Regional Studies. Extreme Housing Conditions in North Carolina examines severe housing cost burden, overcrowding and substandard housing conditions among renters in the state. It identifies areas with extreme housing needs, defined as having relatively high levels of at least two of the following three indicators: severe housing cost burden, overcrowding and the lack of complete kitchen and bathroom facilities.

The report — authored by William Rohe, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor and director of CURS, Todd Owen, CURS associate director and Sarah Kerns — analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

Among the report’s findings:

• Census tracts with extreme housing conditions were found in 46 of North Carolina’s 100 counties and in all regions of the state.
• As of 2013, more than 377,000, or 28.2 percent, of the state’s rental households experienced severe cost burdens, were overcrowded or lacked critical facilities.
• The number of severely cost-burdened households increased by 53,737 (or 22.5 percent) between 2008 and 2013.
• In eight census tracts, over 60 percent of renter households were severely cost burdened, with the highest percentage being 77.4 percent in a Wake County tract.
• The number of overcrowded households increased by 20,437, or 45.4 percent, between 2008 and 2013.
• In six census tracts, over 30 percent of renter households were overcrowded, with the highest rate being 53 percent in a Wake County tract.

Read the full report: tinyurl.com/hg56hfb. View an interactive map: bit.do/CURS_Housing.