There's not a single US state where a minimum wage worker can afford a 2-bedroom rental

[Shaul]

What's nonsense is saying someone can afford a place when rent makes up more than 40% of your total income.

Edit: Also, it is misleading to look at whatever the lowest range that you can find is. Looking at the averages presents a better understanding of what is most accessible to most people, and the average 2-bedroom rent in Tennessee is in the $900's.
What is the Cost of Living in Tennessee? - SmartAsset

It isn’t nonsense since no one said for them to use any given percentage of their income for housing. Who are we to decide what is the “correct” percentage anyways? They are free to choose the percentage themselves by balancing the lowest rent possible or increasing their income or budgeting or whatever.

It isn’t “misleading” to find the lowest range housing for the lowest range of income earners at all. It actually is appropriate.

Now if you want to talk about misleading, that would be your cost of living link. Lower income people will spend below the average, not at the average. There are many, many rentals available in Tennessee below the average they use (which is skewed by including higher costing locales within it). A simple web search can find them. So I don’t accept your site’s figures.

 

[Shaul]

What is their agenda? To advocate affordable housing for working class people? Is there something wrong with that?

It all depends on how they do it, now doesn’t it?

 

[columbus]

I know, won't they? But they deserve what they get.

You mean, the insurance money when the building burns down?
Tom

 

[Shushersbedamned]

Naturally not since Trump gives the minimum wage a good sink's bottom.lol

 

[columbus]

Doing the math, someone working 40 a week would earn $290 before taxes (f.y.i. TN has no state income tax with some few exceptions). There are 2 bedroom apartments in the state being advertised for rent at $500 per month.

You think that someone bringing home 900 a month can pay 500 rent?
Tom

 

[Shushersbedamned]

You think that someone bringing home 900 a month can pay 500 rent?
Tom

Of course.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Who are we to decide what is the “correct” percentage anyways?

Any financial advisor who lives and breathes would look at your figures and say that's real super dumb. Bad advice. General recommendation is 30% maximum income on housing cost, or setting yourself up for failure. 40%+ means you're spending more than you can afford.

It isn’t “misleading” to find the lowest range housing for the lowest range of income earners at all. It actually is appropriate

Yes it is. Just because I can find listings for 2 bedrooms lower than $800 does not speak to their availability to low income families in general. Who are struggling finding low income housing *at all.* The average cost is average availability, unless you're like 'a small fraction of those on minimum wage can find the lowest cost housing and still pay more on it than they can reasonably afford.'
Which is also super unhelpful bad advice.

 

[Brickjectivity]

This is an interesting proposal, one that might have merit. I don't know if it would solve the immediate problem, and I'm not sure that there are really that many people who actually want to live without homes or apartments. A lot of people have to share housing, too, so even if they aren't technically "homeless," it's not exactly the most ideal living situation.

And these aren't necessarily lazy bums or people looking for a free ride. I was reading a while back about working people (one was a nurse) having to live out of their cars because housing is just so darn expensive. It's obscene, and there's no reason why a country as rich as ours and which touts itself as having a "high standard of living" should have to allow that.

Consider this that its nearly impossible if not illegal to live on something commercially zoned, so you may not have a shop with an upstairs bunk. You may not live any place that your local government finds inconvenient. Who do we find in charge of local government? Hotel owners and other real estate agents. Of course we are all being gradually chiseled. Our incomes are gone almost before we eat and if not us then our grandkids.

 

[Shaul]

You think that someone bringing home 900 a month can pay 500 rent?
Tom

Yes, remember that they will take home more than their $900 take home pay since they will receive a variety of low income assistance. Also remember that the $290 per week was based on 40 hours. Many higher salaried people work more than 40 hours a week, lower salaried employees could too, if they choose to do so. Also you are ignoring two income families, which most of those renting the multiple room $500 apartments are. A single person could rent a studio for even less than $500 per month.

Since people are indeed renting apartments in Tennessee that make minimum wage, it is obvious that it is possible.

 

[Shaul]

Any financial advisor who lives and breathes would look at your figures and say that's real super dumb. Bad advice. General recommendation is 30% maximum income on housing cost, or setting yourself up for failure. 40%+ means you're spending more than you can afford.


Yes it is. Just because I can find listings for 2 bedrooms lower than $800 does not speak to their availability to low income families in general. Who are struggling finding low income housing *at all.* The average cost is average availability, unless you're like 'a small fraction of those on minimum wage can find the lowest cost housing and still pay more on it than they can reasonably afford.'
Which is also super unhelpful bad advice.

No, it isn’t. First of all I saw how you changed the $500 to $800 dollars. There are rentals in Tennessee for $500 per month. And those units ARE available to low income earners. Low income earners rent at below the average rental rates. I also notes that you don’t even consider the rent subsidies low income earners are eligible to receive. Your hypothetical financial advisor would be aware of those and factor those into the housing percentage, thus your 40% figure is bologna.

 

[columbus]

Also you are ignoring two income families, which most of those renting the multiple room $500 apartments are. A single person could rent a studio for even less than $500 per month.

In a way, this was kind of more my point, poorly made.
A single minimum wage earner can't afford a 2 bedroom. But they also don't need one. A studio is sufficient, and sharing a one bedroom would work fine for the vast majority of people.
Tom

 

[ADigitalArtist]

First of all I saw how you changed the $500 to $800 dollars.

I said "if I" meaning I'm talking about me and my area. But it doesn't matter because the average Tennessee 2 bedroom is also not $500, but you refuse to acknowledge it because it's inconveniant to your bs poor blaming narrative.

There are rentals in Tennessee for $500 per month.

Tell you what. You show me evidence that there are enough $500 per month 2 bedroom rentals to come anywhere near the number of people are living on minimum wage in Tennessee. You can even assume it's just two people (even though this is goal shifting from the article you're backpedaling from, which stated that a minimum wage person can't afford a modest 2 bedroom, and that children are also often involved in the overhead). I'll wait.

I also notes that you don’t even consider the rent subsidies low income earners are eligible to receive

Pretty rich, a conservative going "don't forget about narrow admittance government assistant programs people with full time jobs aren't eligable for and we are trying to shut down at every turn anyway!"

Edit: for giggles I got on Zillow which is the most comprehensive and widely used rental search and plugged in just 1 bedrooms within 20 miles of Nashville, which is where most people living on minimum wage are living in TN. No extra amenities like parking, pets, in unit washer dryer, and 1 bathroom.
There were 6 whole listings between $600 and $700 a month. Zero for $500. For a one bedroom one bath.

I looked for two bedrooms for $500 in the entire state.
There were 65 listings.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Minimum wage workers can't afford a modest 2-bedroom home anywhere in the country, report says - CNN





Here's my solution to the problem: Rent controls. All rents should be immediately reduced to 10% of what they are now. That way, everyone would be able to afford housing, but the bigger plus is that it would free up people's disposable income to the point where they'd spend it and would stimulate the economy across all sectors. The only ones who might suffer are greedy landlords, but too bad for them.

Another idea that might work is an unused/vacant property tax which doubles each month a property or rental unit goes vacant. This would also include commercial properties. I've seen a lot of vacant lots and boarded up buildings in prime areas, many for months or even years. It's inexplicable that no one seems to want to buy them. The only explanation is that the owner is too greedy and is holding out for more money.

That's what people get for not voting in the rent is too high guy.

 

[Shaul]

I said "if I" meaning I'm talking about me and my area. But it doesn't matter because the average Tennessee 2 bedroom is also not $500, but you refuse to acknowledge it because it's inconveniant to your bs poor blaming narrative.

Tell you what. You show me evidence that there are enough $500 per month 2 bedroom rentals to come anywhere near the number of people are living on minimum wage in Tennessee. You can even assume it's just two people (even though this is goal shifting from the article you're backpedaling from, which stated that a minimum wage person can't afford a modest 2 bedroom, and that children are also often involved in the overhead). I'll wait.

Pretty rich, a conservative going "don't forget about narrow admittance government assistant programs people with full time jobs aren't eligable for and we are trying to shut down at every turn anyway!"

One more time, the average price is not apropos for the lowest rent payers. The lowest rents are. You can find evidence that there are $500 rentals available in Tennessee by searching lsn.com or craigslist. They are there, so don’t wait on me to spoon feed you data. Do your own leg work. But to be nice I’ll provide you with one example:
2br/ 1ba On Shelbyville Rd - $500 In Mcminnville TN - LSN

Who said I was a conservative? Don’t try to pigeonhole me or label me, thank you very much. Whatever anyone may advocate about government rent subsidy programs is doesn’t change the fact that they exist right now. To ignore that they impact the percentage low income earners pay for housing would be wrong and dishonest.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Minimum wage workers can't afford a modest 2-bedroom home anywhere in the country, report says - CNN





Here's my solution to the problem: Rent controls. All rents should be immediately reduced to 10% of what they are now. That way, everyone would be able to afford housing, but the bigger plus is that it would free up people's disposable income to the point where they'd spend it and would stimulate the economy across all sectors. The only ones who might suffer are greedy landlords, but too bad for them.

Another idea that might work is an unused/vacant property tax which doubles each month a property or rental unit goes vacant. This would also include commercial properties. I've seen a lot of vacant lots and boarded up buildings in prime areas, many for months or even years. It's inexplicable that no one seems to want to buy them. The only explanation is that the owner is too greedy and is holding out for more money.

I see where this is leading. Socialized housing.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I wonder how far one can commute for this study? In Seattle the rents are a bit higher, though they drop quickly when one leaves and the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour. I am sure you could not buy a two bedroom house in Seattle from that sort of wage, but one should be able to find a place to live.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

One more time, the average price is not apropos for the lowest rent payers. The lowest rents are. You can find evidence that there are $500 rentals available in Tennessee by searching lsn.com or craigslist. They are there, so don’t wait on me to spoon feed you data. Do your own leg work. But to be nice I’ll provide you with one example:
2br/ 1ba On Shelbyville Rd - $500 In Mcminnville TN - LSN

Who said I was a conservative? Don’t try to pigeonhole me or label me, thank you very much. Whatever anyone may advocate about government rent subsidy programs is doesn’t change the fact that they exist right now. To ignore that they impact the percentage low income earners pay for housing would be wrong and dishonest.

Oh golly gee one example?! You really showed me.

Oh wait look at my edit, which I posted a bit prior to this. Less than 100 listings at your price point for the entire state.
Face it, you argument is based on non-representational edge cases.

Also I've worked with rental assistance before (for my brother who is learning disabled), full time unemployed often dont qualify or only for short term benefits.
And what you're doing is essentially admitting that it takes special programs to make minimum wage a livable wage, and in incredibly narrow circumstance at that.

 

[Curious George]

In a way, this was kind of more my point, poorly made.
A single minimum wage earner can't afford a 2 bedroom. But they also don't need one. A studio is sufficient, and sharing a one bedroom would work fine for the vast majority of people.
Tom

Because children of single parents should share a studio with there parent as that is the best environment for them given our culture?

 

[Curious George]

I wonder how far one can commute for this study? In Seattle the rents are a bit higher, though they drop quickly when one leaves and the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour. I am sure you could not buy a two bedroom house in Seattle from that sort of wage, but one should be able to find a place to live.

I believe the claim was based on the federal minimum wage.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I see where this is leading. Socialized housing.

Or rebuilding American unions, deeper looks into gentrification, rent hiking, distribution of lower income housing to prevent displacements, hard looks at what causes the majority of Americans to go into debt (such as healthcare costs). There's a lot that could be discussed in relation to this article.