News Release (pdf)

Five Fast
Facts About
Affordable Housing
(pdf)

Questions and
Answers (pdf)

The Coalition is conducting a campaign designed to raise public
awareness of the affordable housing crisis in South Carolina.

The housing gap continues to widen leaving behind hard-working members of the community such as teachers, law enforcement officers and a handful of other public servants that keep communities functioning.

Currently, the average South Carolinian pays at least $152,000 for a house in the suburbs and even more to live in a downtown area. According to the “Out of Reach” report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, the average Fair Market Rent in South Carolina is $591, which requires a worker to earn $11.36 an hour to rent a two-bedroom apartment.

Ideally, according to the federal government, one should not spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. However, with home prices on the rise statewide, many simply cannot afford to buy home. A working single parent earning minimum wage ($5.15 per hour) would need to work 88 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

Through publicity efforts and public meetings, Coalition members are
encouraging South Carolinians to support legislation that welcomes affordable housing in their own neighborhoods and to vote for elected officials committed to providing affordable housing.