Is Affordable Housing Affordable for Single Moms?

You hear it all the time when it comes to solving homelessness: We need more affordable housing. But does affordable housing really make a difference? And is affordable housing really affordable, especially for a segment of the population most inclined to need it?

First, what is affordable housing?

Experts says affordable housing means housing that doesn’t cost more than 30% of the family income. For low-income families a common type of “affordable housing” comes with the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. To qualify for most housing programs, a household must make less than 50% of the Area Median Income of their area. These programs typically come with waiting lists and getting on a list does not guarantee that you qualify for housing. Moreover, some waiting lists are up to two years.

For low-income families without outside assistance, affording rent is not a reality. One study found that a renter working 40 hours a week and earning minimum wage cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the nation. And that’s just renting. It’s been found that two-thirds of renters in America say they can’t afford to buy a home, and home prices are rising at twice the rate of wage growth.

From there, problems compound with lack of homes available on the market, tax cuts that end up…