Growing companies seeking to expand facilities often have difficulty attracting enough employees because there is no place for workers to live or reliable transportation to and from work. Falling short Affordable housing makes it possible for more working families to live in Birmingham, thus increasing the workforce available for businesses seeking to locate or expand. Housing is defined as affordable if it costs no more than 30 percent of a family's income. Even responsible jobs with full-time wages fall below this minimum salary level. This is 197 percent of the present minimum wage.
Most families spend more on housing than on any other single expense.
If the community increases the amount and quality of affordable housing, families can meet their housing costs without sacrificing other basic needs. Stable housing helps children learn and perform better in school. A recent study concluded that children whose families move frequently in search of affordable housing often have lower school attendance rates and test scores. Vision for future Region 2020's Affordable Housing Initiative has been in operation for more than 18 months. Places such as these cannot be created without quality affordable housing.