CHARLOTTE, N.C. — According to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, North Carolinians earning minimum wage must work 120 hours a week to afford a modest, one-bedroom rental at fair market value.
The Coalition's "Out of Reach" report measures housing affordability nationwide. Last year's report said minimum wage workers in the state had to work 102 hours a week. The report also found that North Carolina has a "housing wage" of $25.21, which is how much you'd have to make an hour in the state to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental. North Carolina ranked 28th most expensive in the nation for two-bedroom housing wages.
The most expensive areas, in order, were Asheville, Raleigh, Chapel Hill-Durham, Charlotte and Wilmington. The housing wage in Charlotte is $29.88, meaning you'd need 4.1 minimum wage jobs to afford a two-bedroom rental in the Queen City. That's a bit higher than the state average of 3.5.
Charlotte leaders are working to help. The majority voted to put a $100 million affordable housing proposal on the November ballot.
"Everyone knows that it's a crisis in our community and we continue to try to fill the void," City Councilman Malcolm Graham said. "No increase in taxes. ... You're basically approving the city to borrow for those funds for those specific purposes.”
With homeless shelters in the city already at or near capacity and many housing programs with waitlists, nonprofits like Block Love CLT say more work is needed.
"We need housing and we need landlords, private owners, realtors, individuals that are willing to help our neighbors get into housing," Deborah Phillips, Executive Director of Block Love CLT, said.
Sue Berkowitz from the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center said that struggling to afford housing can have lasting impacts, especially on families.
"That all leads to both health issues, mental health issues, children not knowing whether they're going to be able to go to the same school or have to switch schools," Berkowitz said. "It just makes it very difficult for families to be able to afford the things they need."
She said a high cost of living and low wages can make things stressful.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
"For folks who are trying to make ends meet, especially if you have a family, you know, there are so many costs that are that come together and trying to keep just body and soul together in a reasonable amount of time and in an affordable amount of time is very, very difficult for a lot of folks," Berkowitz said.
Joel Rodriguez said supporting a family while trying to keep up with rent and expenses has been difficult.
“In an apartment, you kind of get stuck into that paycheck-to-paycheck life," Rodriguez said. "I did have to pick up extra hours— bust my behind to pull through and support me and my family."
WLTX contributed to this report.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.