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Fairfax County Moderate Income Definition Project. George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis Presentation of Report September 22, 2006. Purpose of Analysis. Assess the County’s definition of moderate income in terms of its use for affordable housing programs. Factors and Findings.
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Fairfax County Moderate Income Definition Project George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis Presentation of Report September 22, 2006
Purpose of Analysis Assess the County’s definition of moderate income in terms of its use for affordable housing programs
Factors and Findings • Income Available for Housing Needs • Housing Supply and Costs in Fairfax County • Ability of Moderate Income Families to Afford Housing in the Fairfax County Housing Market • Other Factors • Conclusions
Income Available for Housing Needs • Based on consumer expenditure data , renter households in Fairfax County have approximately 22% of income available for housing after expenditures for food, transportation, health care and other items.
From 1999 - 2004 • Median household income grew by 8.8% • Average home price grew by 84% • Average rent increased by 29% • Costs of utilities and fuel grew by 26% • Costs of health care grew by 19%
Increases in Costs March 2005 – March 2006U.S. % Source: BLS, GMU Center for Regional Analysis
Income Available for Housing Needs For households and families to maintain lifestyles given increases in costs, a 30% threshold for housing affordability is too high.
“The Self-Sufficiency Standard for the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area 2005” Dr. Diana Pearce, University of Washington Prepared for Wider Opportunities for Women How much income would it take for families to live and work without public or private assistance or subsidies? – a measure of income needed to meet basic needs.
Summary Results of Standards Report for Fairfax County: 2005
All Housing Types Median Sales PriceExisting HousesFairfax County $ + 129% Since 2000 Source: MRIS, GMU Center for Regional Analysis
Number of Units Sold by Price RangeFairfax: 2000-2005All Housing Types % Source: MRIS, GMU Center for Regional Analysis
Share of Private Rental Market by Monthly Rent Level Range: 2000-2005, Fairfax County % Source: MRIS, GMU Center for Regional Analysis
Ability of Moderate Income Families to Afford Housing in the Fairfax County Housing Market
Household Income and Housing Price Divergence, 1995 – 2005Washington Metro Area % Housing Price Income Long term compound interest rate increases, in current $: Income = 5.4% , Housing = 7.0%
Existing Housing Sales Affordable at 30% of Income, 2000 and 2005, Fairfax % 5% Down, 6.5% 30-yr mortgage
Percent of Income Required to Purchase Housing, 2000 and 2005, Fairfax % 5% Down, 6.5% 30-yr mortgage
Percent of Jobs in FairfaxHeld by Resident vs In-Commuters % Residents In-Commuters
Households Relocating Outside Fairfax County • IRS County-County Migration Files • 2000 – 2004 from Fairfax County to: • Loudoun 21,800 • Prince William 23,400 • Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Stafford 5,000
Conclusions • Income available for families to spend on housing has declined because of rising costs of other needs. • The “Self-Sufficiency Standards” report documents that many family types need incomes greater than the median to meet the basic needs.
Conclusions • For-sale housing price increases in the past five years have made home ownership practically impossible for moderate income families in Fairfax, even at 120 % of median income. • Rental market is now the only choice for moderate income families, and the rental prices now and next five years will see significant increases, at the 6-7 percent per year.
Conclusions • Analysis of the rent burden in the county shows that a growing share of households and families making more than 80% of median face significant affordability problems, especially larger families that face a reduced supply and higher costs of larger units.
Conclusions • In the consideration of policy changes, there are large differences in the housing affordability situation between residents who bought several years ago and newer residents moving into the county.
Conclusions • Trends in in-commuting and household relocation outside the county indicate that more must be done in addressing housing affordability if the County wants moderate income families to have living in the county as a choice.
Recommendation – Ownership Housing New policies and programs are needed if ownership housing is to be possible for moderate incomes and families.
Recommendation – Rental Housing There is a growing housing affordability problem for moderate income households, and the definition of moderate income should be expanded. Market conditions will be changing rapidly in the next 2-3 years, and the issue should be re-examined.