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It鈥檚 not only affordability that鈥檚 putting the squeeze on potential family renters. A lack of family-sized units as well as discrimination鈥攅ven in the face of laws dictating otherwise鈥攁re still evident in the sector. So says the recently released 鈥溾� from Harvard University鈥檚 Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Affordability is still the Big Issue, of course. 鈥淟ack of affordable housing supply is one of the largest barriers for families seeking housing, particularly among those with low incomes,鈥� says the report, citing research from the Urban Institute (as opposed to the聽 ULI, or Urban Land Institute): 鈥�. . . The rental market provided only 21 adequate, affordable and available units for every 100 extremely low-income renter households.鈥�
The Harvard report also tracks a shift鈥攏ot to the better鈥攊n the construction of family-sized units since the days of the housing boom. 鈥淔rom 2001 to 2007,鈥� it states, 鈥渢he share of larger units exceeded 20 percent of newly constructed rental units, a record high since the Census began collecting this data in 1978. In the wake of the foreclosure crisis, however, new construction shifted toward a greater share of smaller apartments.鈥�
In fact, by 2015, about half of new multifamily units were efficiencies or one-bedroom types. But while half the stock might sound adequate, there are competitive forces at work, further coloring the picture. 鈥淧aired with decreasing household sizes, the growth in the supply of larger units would theoretically provide adequately sized housing for family households. However, competition with households without children poses a significant challenge for families searching for rental housing. For example, particularly in the aftermath of the recession, roommate households may occupy units that would otherwise be available to households with children.鈥�
Probably the most troubling aspect of the family squeeze is discriminatory practices on the part of landlords, despite laws to the contrary and the best efforts of organizations such as 乐竞体育赛事直播 and its members.
Despite such protections, the report states, 鈥淥f the 8,385 Fair Housing complaints that HUD received in 2016, 882 resulted from familial status discrimination . . . . HUD found that families with two children were shown fewer units and units with higher rents than families with only one child. Families with children received differential treatment in their search for one-bedroom apartments in particular.鈥�
It has been said that recognizing a problem is the first step to solving it. The problem of affordable housing has long been on the industry鈥檚 radar, but relatively little is heard of the specific plight of families. 鈥淭his study is a first step in understanding the supply constraints that renter families face,鈥� the report sums up. 鈥淲hile we don鈥檛 suggest that families should receive ultimate priority, we do encourage planners and policymakers to consider the needs of families with children.鈥�
Keep watching 乐竞体育赛事直播 Blogs for the Joint Center鈥檚 鈥淪tate of the Nation鈥檚 Housing,鈥� due out later this month.
About the Author
John Salustri is editor-in-chief of Salustri Content Solutions, Inc., a consultancy focused on enhancing the web and print content of clients around the nation. He is a regular contributor to JPM Magazine and a frequent blogger for 乐竞体育赛事直播. Prior to launching SCS, John was founding editor of GlobeSt.com.