Families in need of affordable housing

live in our communities in Kent County.  While most of us feel stable and secure in our homes, housing insecurity is a reality for 40% of households in our county who fell below the threshold of a survival budget according to the 2018 United Way ALICE report. 

According to the 2018 United Way Maryland ALICE Report, Maryland’s low income population will be challenged by a number of economic factors.  Renting a home has become less affordable in Maryland as the cost of rentals has continued to rise, while demand for low-cost and multi-family housing has outpaced the supply. Maryland renters devote a high percentage of their household income to rent — the fifth highest percentage in the nation (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2016; American Community Survey, 2016). 

In Kent County the demand for affordable housing — both rental and ownership properties — far outpaces the supply. Public Transportation in Kent County is near non-existent, and over 10% of households do not own a vehicle.

In 2016, Kent County had 3191 children under 18 of whom 628 lived with families with incomes below the poverty level as defined by the U.S. Office of Management.
Source:  US Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)

The majority of students in Kent County Public Schools also qualify for free and reduced meals. Eligibility is based on the 2017 Federal income poverty guidelines of 130%  of the poverty level for free and 185% of the poverty level for reduced meals.  The 2017 Federal Income poverty level for a household of three was $20,400. 
Source:  2017 Maryland Report Card – MD State Dept. of Education

When families can live in a decent and affordable home, they don’t have to worry about where they are going to be next month.  Home ownership with an affordable mortgage gives them their first sizable asset and the knowledge that they are not living at the whim of  a landlord. Most loans for a Kent Attainable home will be far less than renters pay, often for a more updated and energy-efficient house. They have a chance to begin saving and invest in their or their children’s education.  They can create all those memories of home that so many of us have from our growing up experiences.