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Housing Costs by Race/Ethnicity

Disparities exist by race and ethnicity in households facing severe housing cost burden

A standard measure of housing affordability is the percentage of household income devoted to housing costs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends housing costs (including utilities) not exceed 30% of a household’s income and that the percentage should decrease for lower income households.23

Severe housing cost burden is defined as housing costs (including utilities) greater than 50% of household income.24 Severe housing cost burdens leave households less able to afford other necessities like food, transportation, and health care.

Overall, 11.9% of Lincoln households spend more than 50% of their income on housing.

  • 23.0% of households identified as American Indian or Alaska Native spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
  • 19.8% of households identifying as Black or African American spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
  • 18.1% of households identifying as Asian or Pacific Islander spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
  • 17.9% of households identifying as Two or More Races spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
  • 14.1% of households identifying as Latino/a or Hispanic spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
  • 11.2% of households identifying as White spend greater than 50% of their income on housing.
Notes

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Research. (2020). Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data and Mapping Tool (AFFH-T). AFFHT0006, Table 10.

Households are considered cost burdened when they spend more than 30% of their income on rent, mortgage, and other housing needs such as utilities and property taxes. Households are considered severely cost burdened when they spend more than 50% of their income on rent, mortgage, and other housing needs.

Footnotes
  1. Schwartz, M., & Wilson, E., (n.d.) Who can afford to live in a home?: A look at data from the 2006 American Community Survey. Washington, DC: United States Census Bureau.
  2. U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. (2020). Office of Policy Research. (2020). Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data and Mapping Tool (AFFH-T) Data Documentation.