COLUMBIA, S.C. — According to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, South Carolinians earning minimum wage must work 115 hours a week to afford a modest, one-bedroom home 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 103 hours a week.
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 lead 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.
"For folks who are are trying to make ends meet, especially if you have a family, you know, there's 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 folk," 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."
The report also found that South Carolina has a "housing wage" of $24.08, which is how much you'd have to make an hour in the state to afford a modest, two-bedroom home. South Carolina is ranked 30th most expensive in the nation in two-bedroom housing wage.