Who Needs Affordable Housing the Most

Affordable housing is a national issue that affects everyone, whether directly or indirectly. As we’ve discussed previously, entire communities can benefit from the availability of more affordable housing. 

In South Carolina, as in other areas with an affordable housing shortage, some groups tend to feel the impact more than others. Marginalized or disadvantaged groups like racial/ethnic minorities, low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities are often the ones who need affordable housing the most. In the event that affordable housing is not available, these groups may also be at the highest risk for homelessness or other negative outcomes. 

The Affordable Housing Shortage in South Carolina

In total, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) estimates that there is a shortage of over 85,000 affordable rental homes for low-income households in South Carolina. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the demographics of low-income housing in South Carolina, and how lack of affordable housing is connected to other systemic disparities. 

• African American and Minority Households. Census data shows that 26.7% of the South Carolina population is black. Black people are affected by a range of educational and socioeconomic disparities that can make it difficult for them to afford housing. Reduced access to quality education (leading to lower economic mobility), intergenerational poverty, and the persistent effects of racial inequality and discrimination in the job market all make South Carolina’s Black population more vulnerable to the affordable housing crisis than their white counterparts.
  
  Although Black individuals make up the largest racial minority in South Carolina, they aren’t the only ones who struggle with affordable housing. Latino, Native American, and Asian households are also more likely than whites to be classified as extremely low-income.
  
  

• Impoverished Households. According to the NLIHC, 27% of renter households in South Carolina are extremely low income. Of these, 71% of households experience severe cost burden, meaning that they spend more than half of their income on rent costs. The NLIHC also noted that in these households, residents may be forced to sacrifice the ability to buy healthy food or pay for healthcare costs in order to pay rent. They’re also more likely to be evicted, which can put them at risk of homelessness.
  
  A 2020 report published jointly by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina identified a list of factors that contribute to and/or perpetuate poverty in the state. In particular, they named factors such as disparities in access to education, food insecurity, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and natural disaster-related risks.
  
  

• Seniors. The senior poverty rate in South Carolina is 10.10%. Seniorliving.org estimates that 8% of South Carolina’s senior population lives on an income of less than $10,000 per year, and 28% lives on less than $20,000 per year. (By comparison, the NLIHC calculates that the average annual income needed to afford a 2-bedroom rental home in South Carolina is just over $40,000.) Jeff Larimore, Executive Director for Midlands Housing Trust Fund says, “Recent studies have stated that in the last decade, the median age within South Carolina has increased 2.4 years. Affordable housing within South Carolina will need to adapt to meet the needs of an aging population.”
  
  For seniors, finding housing is often further complicated by the need for accessibility features (such as wider doorways, ground-floor bedrooms, and elevators) and the fact that many seniors rely on a fixed income.
  
  

• Veterans. Affordable housing for veterans is a nationwide issue, and it’s one of the biggest risk factors for homelessness among veterans. Veterans comprise about 9.4% of South Carolina’s total population; of the veteran population, 6.9% live in poverty. Data from the Housing Assistance Council shows that just under 22% of South Carolina veterans struggle with housing costs.
  
  For veterans, difficulty in finding affordable housing can be caused by a number of factors, including difficulty finding employment and/or transitioning back to civilian life. In some cases, service-related disabilities, health problems, or mental health issues may make it hard for veterans to obtain and keep a stable, well-paying job.