Study: Transportation Costs Cut AH Savings

A new National Housing Conference study on 28 major U.S. metropolitan areas found that, for many families who purchase affordable housing, the cost of living in the homes is increased considerably by additional transportation expenses.The study found that working families in these areas spend an average of about 57% of their income on the combined costs of housing and transportation, with about 28% of income spent on housing and 29% on transportation. An earlier NHC study found that nationally, for every dollar a working family saves on housing, it spends 77 cents more on transportation. The NHC said the study was motivated by data showing that "A growing number of communities are identifying the lack of affordable housing and the increase in commute times and traffic congestion as priority issues." The NHC said the first-of-its-kind study links these two sets of issues in the hope that "findings will be a catalyst for the development of more integrated policymaking at the local, regional, and national levels." The study, "A Heavy Load: The Combined Housing and Transportation Burdens of Working Families!," was published by the NHC's research affiliate, the Center for Housing Policy.