LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly half of people living in Jefferson County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
Louisville's Metropolitan Housing Coalition released its annual report this week, focusing on how climate change is impacting safe, affordable housing.
"Where do you start your day and where do you end your day? I hope it is with a roof over your head," said Tony Curtis, executive director of the Metro Housing Coalition.
The report has detailed maps showing housing segregation and insecurity, rental properties, homeownership and resources available.
"We have seen a dangerous narrative percolate up across our community that is not only anti-affordable housing, in many respects, but also anti-multi-family housing," Curtis said. "If this concept continues to develop, we are in serious trouble in our community."
Curtis said multi-family housing needs to be available in all 26 districts of Louisville. He said more than half of land available is zoned for single-family housing.
Dr. Lauren Heberle, center of environment policy director with the University of Louisville, said other cities have eliminated single-family zoning as a limitation.
"What it means is we can have multi-family units built in areas where there are single-family homes and open up more property for more sustainable and more affordable living," Heberle said.
The report said, from 2019-23, home prices have gone up 11.6%
One of the things that surprised them the most was the fact that more than 40% of people living in Jefferson County are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
More than 20% are spending more than 50% of their income on housing.
"That tells us a lot about availability of home ownership opportunities and how out of reach that is for a lot of individuals in our community which creates stressors on the rental market as well," Curtis said.
They both said, however, if people are willing to work together there is hope.
"I'm a little worried, but I also know that we can each take a piece of it and make a change," Heberle said.
The full report can be viewed below:
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
