The National Low Income Housing Coalition is a non-profit agency dedicated to achieving socially just

public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and

decent homes. In their recent annual report, “Out of Reach: 2015,” the NLIHC notes that millions of

Americans struggle to find affordable rents. On average in the U.S., renters need to earn $19.35 per

hour to afford a modest 2-bedroom apartment. A person working full-time at minimum wage would not

be able to afford a 1-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent in any state.

The following numbers highlight the situation in McHenry County:

*Housing wage is the amount a person working full-time must earn to afford the Fair Market Rent on a rental unit without paying more than 30% of his/her income on rent.

What this means is that in order to manage the monthly two-bedroom rent of $1093 in McHenry County, the individual or family must earn at least $21.02 per hour or work 86 hours per week at minimum wage.  Although the median income in McHenry County for 2009-2013 was $76,145, many residents struggle with finding and keeping affordable housing.

Home of the Sparrow offers Outreach Services, Transitional Housing, an Affordable Housing Program and a Rapid Re-housing Program to help meet the needs of single women or women with children who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness.  Please see our program descriptions for more information or contact Jessica, Intake and Outreach Manager, at 815-271-5444 x58.

For more information on the Out of Reach report, visit www.nlihc.org.