By Susan Briggs, Program Director
The 2004 Loveland Housing Survey reports that 63% of renters in Loveland who earn 30 – 50% of the area median income ($22,500 – $37,500 for a family of 4) are cost burdened by their monthly rent payments. What this means is that these families are paying more than 30% of their income toward their housing costs, and many of these families are paying over 50% of their income toward housing. This leaves few resources to cover necessary items of food, clothing, insurance, transportation costs and health care.
Megan Ferland, president of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, recently cited US Census Bureau figures showing the number of Colorado children living in poverty soared from 104,000 to 180,000 between the years 2000 – 2006. She stated that kids growing up in poverty often struggle with educational, health and emotional/behavioral difficulties that affect their chances of success. This is a trend that will have widespread and long lasting impact on our community.
Loveland Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to work to see that every person has access to safe, decent and affordable housing. Affordable housing provides a stable base for families and with housing costs below 30% of monthly income, allows families to provide for their most basic needs. Our partnership with families provides tools that allow for successful transition into homeownership; stable housing that does not overstrain a family’s budget provides a secure and calm atmosphere for growing and learning.
Habitat families often report that the single largest impact their Habitat home has had is on the improved lives of their children. Loveland Habitat for Humanity is the only organization that provides homeownership for families between 30 to 50 percent of the area median income.
