Did You Know?

• Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population accounting for an estimated 40% of our nations homeless which is up from 34% in 2000.
• In Worcester, in order to afford a modest two bedroom apartment you must earn $17.12 per hour, while the mean renter wage is $11.41 per hour.
• A minimum wage earner in Worcester would have to work 119 hours per week in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
• On any given night in Worcester County a total of 186 families or 553 persons in families with children are staying at emergency shelter or transitional housing programs.
• On any given night, in Worcester County, it is estimated that an additional 3,000 persons in families with children are living in doubled up housing situations because they lack a home of their own.
• Federal support for affordable housing was reduced by 49% from 1980 to 2003.
• The state of Massachusetts reduced affordable housing support by 52% from 1989 to 2003.
• Massachusetts is the 3rd LEAST AFFORDABLE rental state in the Nation.