Report: More Fairfield County Renters Face 'Severe Burden' In Housing Costs

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Even people with jobs in this tough economy may find it hard to pay the rent in Fairfield County and Connecticut, according to a new report.

An increasing number of renters are paying more than half their income for housing costs, according to a new study.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Flickr User, sean dreilinger*

by The Daily Voice

06/03/2013 5:00 a.m.

An increasing number of renters are spending more than half their income on housing costs, according to Housing Landscape 2013, released by the nonprofit Center for Housing Policy.

In Connecticut, the percentage of households with a "severe cost burden in housing" rose to 24.1 percent in 2011, up from 23.1 percent in 2008.

Declining incomes and federal cuts in housing assistance contribute to the problem, the report said.

The report said that nationally, working renters saw their housing costs rise by 6 percent from 2008 to 2011, while their household incomes fell more than 3 percent.

To read the full report, visit NHC.org.

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