Housing costs have increased over the last several years, creating very few pockets of affordable housing across the U.S. One of these places offering attainable priced homes is Ohio, according to Route Fifty. Youngstown, Ohio, is one of the last two metro areas in the U.S. where households across income levels can still afford single-family homes. Prior to 2020, 20 states—including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—fell into this category. On the other hand, Montana and Idaho have become the most unaffordable states, surpassing even California.
Even in the Youngstown metro area, which includes a slice of Pennsylvania, housing can be a challenge for residents with low incomes. A forthcoming regional housing study has found a 4,000-unit shortage for households making less than $25,000 a year; 7,500 people are on a waiting list for subsidized housing. Black and Hispanic residents are more likely to struggle with housing costs, as are older people, young singles and families with young children, according to preliminary conclusions discussed in April.
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