Securing Affordable Housing is a Challenge for Many Oregonians
This year, Oregon is the 26th most expensive state in the nation for renters.
This finding comes from a new report released by the Oregon Housing Alliance and the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. Oregon’s ranking reflects another increase in rental costs across the state. Sadly, the higher rental costs make it more difficult for many Oregon renters to balance their budgets—creating a barrier to domestic violence survivors’ safety.
The typical renter in Oregon earns $12.84/hour--$2.09 less than the hourly wage needed to afford a modest unit. In order to afford the fair market rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 47 hours per week or a household must include 1.2 worker(s) earning the mean renter wage in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.
In Oregon, a minimum wage worker earns an hourly wage of $8.40. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 71 hours per week or a household must include 1.8 minimum wage earner(s) working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two bedroom FMR affordable.
Monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for an individual are $674 in Oregon. If SSI represents an individual's sole source of income, $202 in monthly rent is affordable, while the FMR for a one-bedroom is $650.
The lack of affordable rental housing has drastic implications for survivors of domestic violence. Emergency shelter (which is also not available to everyone who needs it) provides life-saving housing, but is not a long-term solution. Without safe, stable, affordable housing, survivors may be forced to return to their abusive partner or face homelessness.
