From Time:

News Summary:
Jala Rucker, a Pittsburgh native, has struggled with the city’s affordability despite it being deemed “the most affordable city in America”. Rucker grew up in government housing and is now facing displacement due to gentrification.

The “30% rule” for determining housing affordability has been around for decades. It guides homebuyers and programs like Section 8 vouchers, but has not kept up with the increase in cost of living relative to wages.

Affordability advocates like Jala Rucker want to redefine the “30% rule” to better meet the needs of low-income households. One proposed method is factoring in “residual income” to determine affordability, which could provide a more accurate picture of who is struggling to afford housing.



Read more: What Does ‘Affordable Housing’ Actually Mean?