1. Gainesville’s Affordable Housing Needs
Low-Income, Cost Burdened Households, Gainesville, 2017
Housing is usually considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of household income, including utilities.
Cost burdened: Paying more than 30% of income for housing
Nearly 15,000 low-income households in Gainesville are cost burdened excluding students.
Need is greatest for renters.
Additionally, estimated 787 individuals & 880 families with children are homeless in North Central FL
Sources: Shimberg Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 American Community Survey; 2019 Rental Market Study (forthcoming). “Low-Income” refers to households with incomes below 80% of Area Median Income. “Student household” refers to a non-family household where head is a full-time student.

2. Housing costs outpace wages for many occupations.
Alachua County’s housing wage: $17.19/hour
A full-time worker would need to earn this amount to rent a typical 2BR apartment (HUD Fair Market Rent: $894/mo).
Median wage for Gainesville MSA workers, 2017: $15.95/hour
Sources: National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach; Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics and Wages.

3. Housing costs outpace wages for many occupations.
How much can Gainesville’s workers afford to pay for housing each month? $
Retail Sales & Cashiers
Home Health Aides
Preschool Teachers
Crossing Guards
Cooks
Security Guards $
Bus Drivers
Nursing Assistants
Receptionists
Construction Laborers
Hair Stylists
Customer Service Reps $
Pharmacy Technicians
Secretaries
Bank Tellers
Police, Fire & Ambulance Dispatchers
Vet Techs
Probation Officers
Source: Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics and Wages. Based on median wage for jobs in the Gainesville MSA. Assumes full-time worker, 30% of income spent on housing costs.

4. The Affordable Housing Continuum
Supportive Housing (affordable units + services)
Homeless
Older adults
People with disabilities
Other special needs
Affordable rental housing
Public housing
Subsidized (Florida Housing, HUD)
Vouchers
NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing)
Affordable home ownership
Shared equity (e.g. community land trust)
Down payment assistance
Low-interest loans
Affordable construction
Home rehab and weatherization

5. The local role in creating the affordable housing continuum
1. Make the rules
Land use & zoning
Reducing regulatory barriers
Inclusionary policies
2. Spend the $
Federal pass-through
State housing trust fund (SHIP)
Raising local funds through taxes or fees
3. Provide the housing
Public housing
Other affordable rental