Study shows most Ohio renters can’t comfortably afford housing

DAYTON — A new report shows that the average Ohio worker who rents is not making enough to comfortably afford their housing.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) found that most renters in Ohio can’t afford a two-bedroom apartment, which is the US Department of Housing and Development standard.

“HUD has basically determined that people shouldn’t be paying more than 30% of their total income for housing and utilities. So that’s when we say an apartment isn’t affordable is based on somebody who’s spending more than 30% of their income,” COHHIO Spokesperson, Marcus Roth said. “If housing is costing more and everything else is costing more, then you need to start looking at getting paid more as well.”

The study shows that the average renter in Ohio earns just over $18 an hour, but they would need nearly $21 an hour to avoid spending more than 30% of their income on the apartment.

In Dayton, they would need $20 an hour for that rent, but the average renter only earns $17.65 an hour.

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In Springfield, renters earn an average of just over $15 per hour with a comfortable rate for an apartment there being over $18.

“And there’s not a whole lot in Dayton that will pay for that,” Renter Ken Smith said.

Only two of the most popular jobs, nurses and general operations managers earn more than that 30% threshold.

Jobs like retail, fast food service, and home health aides earn far below that.

“The majority of the jobs that are the most common jobs out there are some of the you know the lowest paid jobs, and it’s really difficult for people to be able to find a job that can actually pay them a living wage where they can afford housing, especially since housing costs have gone up so much in the last couple of years,” Roth said.

Roth said federal and state programs like a low income tax credit do help but more needs to be done to address the rising cost of rent. Both here in the Miami Valley and across the nation and that begins with creating more affordable housing.

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