By Dr. Lucretia Starnes
Nationally there has been an increase in the shortage of affordable housing. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortfall of more than 7 million affordable homes for our nation’s 10.8 million extremely low-income families.
Those impacted include people of all ages, races, and ethnicities. Florida’s affordable housing crisis fuels a new homeless population, including middle-class working families. No state or county exists that a renter working a full-time job at minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment. Seventy percent of low-income families are overburdened financially from paying more than half of their income for rent (Nilhc.org). Shimbery Center for Housing Studies indicates 768,460 low-income renters in Florida are paying approximately 40% or more of their income for housing. Florida has an average of 26 affordable and available rental units for every 100 households with a meager revenue of 0-30%, which leaves a deficit of 323,219 units.
According to statistics, Osceola County is the 16th most populous county in the state of Florida, with an estimated 2021 population of 406,000. The current trend for population growth forecasts an estimated 3.98% increase in the next year. Despite the construction of residential properties on what seems to be every vacant lot, these homes are not affordable to low- and middle-class families.
The current affordable housing crisis in Osceola County and the projected population increase make it imperative to address this emergency with a sense of urgency. Residents and community partners have attempted to assist by donating food items, operating local food banks, providing families with basic needs, seeking shelters, and funding short stays at local hotels when possible. se are all temporary solutions to a widely growing crisis. We must take a proactive approach to determine long-term solutions and ensure the health and safety of our residents.
Impact of Not So Affordable Housing Research shows that the shortage of affordable housing costs the American economy approximately $12 trillion a year. Locally, the deficiency prevents families from having access to the basic need of shelter.
lack of affordable housing in Osceola County presents within our communities through poverty, homelessness, food insecurities, substance abuse, suicide, an increase in crime, unemployment, and other health and safety issues (nami.org, healthaairs.org).
Investing in affordable housing benefits residents, communities, and our local economy. The positive impact includes strengthening economic growth, increasing economic mobility, and reducing childhood poverty. sooner that we address this issue the better able we will be to support the need of our residents who are struggling.
Dr. Starnes is a Kissimmee Realtor and consultant. She holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from Walden University, and also serves as a Valencia College adjunct instructor, an advocate for people and a change agent within her community.
