GAPS IN THE HOUSING CONTINUUM Housing Cost Burden (defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as a household spending 30% or more on housing costs) is a foundational concept to understand housing instability and distress in any setting. This threshold is significant because, as households begin to spend more than 30% on housing it creates undue stress and hardship in other aspects of their life – education, nutrition, transportation, and overall health and wellbeing. Since 2000 the proportion of residents experiencing Housing Cost Burden in our Focus Area has risen for both renters (from 33% to 46%) and owners (from 15% to 26%). While this is regional in nature and not specific to this neighborhood, it remains a critical stressor that needs to be addressed in order to continue cultivating a stable, healthy neighborhood.
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As mentioned in the prior analysis, having a diversity of housing types provides critical flexibility so that households can remain in the neighborhood long-term and find the housing type to meet their personal needs. Providing these different housing types at a variety of price points is equally important both to provide flexibility for individual households as they evolve, but also to ensure that a diversity of households with a range of household incomes and professions can thrive within the neighborhood. The graphic on the facing page helps to illustrate the degree to which households in each income bracket are able to keep their housing costs within their means. Initial review of this infographic reveals three noteworthy patterns.
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STRENGTH + POTENTIAL
High- and middle-income renters and homeowners are both comfortable and stable - a strength to build on and a sign that the market may be ready for higher cost and new construction units.
SUPPORT NEEDED
Housing cost burden is too prevalent among the lowest income brackets of homeowner households meaning that assistance programs are likely needed. Low-income homeowner support programs could be developed to help with critical repairs, property tax relief, and specialized loan products for those struggling to maintain and keep up with home payments. It is likely that a portion of these households are seniors aging in place on a fixed income, so programs should be developed to cater to the needs and constraints that are specific to seniors.
UNME T NEED
Lower income renter households also appear to have an unmet need and are experiencing undue stress on their finances as a result of inadequate quality housing at their desired price point. There may be an unmet need for affordable rental units or simply a mismatch between unit sizes/types and household sizes/types. New infill housing should work to integrate housing types at price points that cater to this unmet need. WEST SCRANTON NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN