Families who struggle to find affordable housing have to use their energy and resources for meeting this basic need, rather than for other necessities like food and medical care, or discretionary spending including further education. At the end of the 1980s, about half of us who rent were able to afford market rates using 30 percent of our income. That percentage is slowly rising. Still, affordable rent eludes many.
Businesses have difficulty maintaining a workforce without adequate places for workers to live.
Our economy is dragged down when significant numbers of us have little money to spend and invest due to the high cost of housing. Environmental Housing is part of the human environment. Living in shabby or unaffordable housing makes it difficult for us to feel connected to our environment and take responsibility for its well-being. Social Housing is the backbone of a community. If housing is too expensive or of poor quality, it is harder for residents to become connected to that community and develop a sense of belonging.