8-26-2024 12:46am

Local Couple Takes On The Housing Crisis

Beth Callahan Editor

LEBANON, OH -- Husband and wife team Andy and Carrie Huber of Lebanon have been busy working on a new and unique concept to help fix the housing crisis ... at least in the Lebanon area.

"Our aim is to establish the very first and very best tiny home residential rental community in Ohio by channeling our personal and professional strengths into a peaceful and pleasant rental neighborhood that operates similarly to an apartment complex, but is more visually and functionally similar to a single-family home neighborhood to fulfill the need for more middle housing in the marketplace," Carrie explained.

Carried added, by focusing on the long-term cost-effectiveness of various neighborhood elements, the cost of rent would be a modest car payment. Carried said that they want the rental rates to be below what a an average apartment equivalent would be and would include a centralized outdoor free space.

"We want to provide community elements that focus on respect and care for its residents and the environment," she said noting that people are hurting financially because of the cost of housing.

To illustrate how the median household income in Ohio falls below the national average and how the gap between income and housing costs continues to widen, let's examine the relevant data and trends.

Median Household Income Comparison

National Median Household Income: According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the national median household income in the United States was approximately $74,580 in 2022 a 2.3 percent decline from the 2021 estimate of $76,330.
Ohio Median Household Income: In contrast, the median household income in Ohio was about $67,520 in 2022 according to statistic.com

This shows a significant gap where Ohio's median household income is approximately $7,060 less than the national median. This income gap has implications for Ohioans' ability to afford housing, especially as housing prices continue to rise nationally and in the state.

Housing Costs and Income Disparity

Rising Housing Costs: Housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, have been increasing across Ohio. For example, in major Ohio cities such as Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, median home prices have risen sharply in recent years. In Columbus, according to mckinsey.com rent prices have increased by almost 35 percent between 2016 and 2021. By 2021, approximately 40 percent of its renters were spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent, meeting HUD’s definition of “rent burdened.”
Income Growth Lagging Behind: While housing costs have risen, income growth in Ohio has not kept pace. Between 2015 and 2022, Ohio's median household income grew by approximately 10%, while the national median income increased by about 12%. During the same period, housing prices in Ohio increased by more than 20% in many areas, creating a growing disparity between income and housing costs.

Cost Burden and Housing Affordability
The concept of "cost burden" helps to further illustrate the widening gap between income and housing costs:

Cost-Burdened Households: A household is considered "cost-burdened" if it spends more than 30% of its income on housing costs. In Ohio, around 30% of renters and 20% of homeowners are considered cost-burdened. This proportion is even higher in urban areas where housing costs are steeper.
Affordability Challenges: For Ohioans earning the median income, a growing share of their earnings is being allocated to housing. With median incomes lagging behind the national average and the rapid increase in housing costs, more families are finding it difficult to afford decent housing without sacrificing other essential expenses.

Implications for Ohioans

Reduced Purchasing Power: The lower median income in Ohio means that residents have less purchasing power when it comes to buying homes or paying rent. The rising costs of housing are not matched by equivalent increases in income, leading to affordability challenges, particularly for first-time homebuyers and low-to middle-income families.
Widening Inequality: The gap between income growth and housing cost inflation exacerbates economic inequality. Families with lower incomes are disproportionately affected, often spending a higher percentage of their income on housing than those with higher incomes.

This gap between Ohio’s median household income and the national average, combined with rising housing costs, highlights the economic challenges many Ohioans face. As this gap continues to widen, the need for affordable housing solutions and income growth initiatives becomes increasingly urgent to ensure all residents can access safe and affordable housing.

This is where Carrie and Andy Huber's company Humble Habitats, LLC comes into play. A tiny home residential rental community, with the cost of rent being around a modest car payment below what its apartment equivalent would be. This would allow people to pay off debt or save to purchase a home.

The Hubers can be reached by calling 513.968.9465 or email HumbleHabitats@outlook.com or visit Humble Habitats LLC FB page to learn more.