Rent Burden, Housing Subsidies and the Well-Being of Children and Youth

By National Center for Children in Poverty

November 1, 2012

Summary

Paying more than 30% of family income on housing is considered a burden. The current housing problem affecting the majority of households with children is rent burden. Rent burden increases material hardship and family stress. But just how those problems affect children is still unclear. This brief pulls together the current housing affordability/child well-being research and presents recommendations for policy changes that could help families and communities thrive. 

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

Nearly 80% of low-income families with children spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

Rates of rent burden among rental households with children are about the same across every region of the United States.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations