The newly released report Worse Case Housing Needs 2009 finds a steep increase in housing-related hardships from 2007 to 2009.  During this period the number of renters experiencing worst case needs jumped by more than 20%, from 5.9 million to 7.1 million.  The number of worst cases has seen an overall upward trend, increasing by 42% since 2001 (see the figure below).  The report defines “worst case needs” as renters with incomes below 50% of the Area Median Income who do not receive government housing assistance and who either paid more than one-half of their income for rent or lived in severely inadequate conditions, or who face both of these challenges.

 

 

While low-income Hispanic renters had the largest increase in housing burdens, overall households with worst case housing needs were 48% white, 23% black and 23% Hispanic.  Hispanic renters with very low incomes had worst case needs in 45.3% of households, compared to 42.7% of white households and 36.5% of black households.

Families with children constitute the largest group with worst case housing needs (39%).   Among very low income renters with children, 40.5% had worst case needs.

The report uses data from the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS).

Other U.S. housing data can be found on our website for precarious housing and homelessness.

Data are also available on housing conditions in Michigan, Mississippi, and New Mexico.