Home May be the Anchor, but Many are Adrift
Shelter is the cornerstone on which self-sufficiency is built. Once safely and affordably housed, families and seniors can begin to work towards new opportunities or address other challenges in their lives. Unfortunately for many, safe, decent, and affordable housing is unattainable. In the State of Alabama, for example, a household must earn $30,735 annually to afford the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment. This translates to an hourly housing wage of $14.78 per hour, leaving many struggling to find decent housing. At $12.23/hour, the average housing wage for an Alabama renter is $2.55 per hour short of the $14.78 needed.1 At greater risk are the 5.4% of working families in Alabama, roughly 66,000 hourly wage earners2, who earn minimum wage or less. In order to afford the 2-BR FMR, minimum wage workers in the State of Alabama must work 82 hours per week, 52 weeks per year leaving little time to further their education, enjoy a hobby or attend their child’s PTA meeting.
In an effort to ensure that affordable housing is available throughout the City of Huntsville, NCI partnered with a Georgia developer in 2016 to build Flint River Apartments, a 72-unit affordable family community located in the desirable Hampton Cove community of Huntsville. The community, which is currently leasing, offers spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartment units for families earning ≤60% of the Area Median Income. At 60% AMI, a family of four can earn up to $46,080 and qualify to live at Flint River. In addition to affordable rents, the property offers beautiful unit interiors and common amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center and computer center.
1 National Low Income Housing Coalition 2017 Out of Reach Survey
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015, published April 2016