Beyond Housing CEO Details Affordability Challenges
Date Posted: June 9, 2015
Posted In: Discussion, Ideas,
From St. Louis Public Radio: If you ask many St. Louisans what they like about the region, many will cite that its cost of living is a big plus. Housing in St. Louis is generally believed to be affordable — but not for all.
Chris Krehmeyer, president and CEO of Beyond Housing, an organization that assists residents secure affordable living accommodations and more, recently talked with the Listening Project of St. Louis Public Radio. He discussed some of the region’s challenges with housing, what low-income residents in St. Louis face in finding homes and what options exist for people for the American Dream of being a homeowner.
He also talked about options for low-income residents to obtain acceptable living conditions in the area.
- Someone earning minimum wage would have to work 82 hours a week to afford the typical two bedroom rental unit.
- Improving one’s credit history is a crucial component to becoming a homeowner and securing a financial future.
- Beyond Housing owns more than 400 units of affordable rental housing units.
Our conversation follows. It has been edited for length and clarity.
What is the biggest housing issue in St. Louis, and why?
Like all across the country, there is a great lack of decent, safe and affordable housing for families and individuals in the St. Louis region. In its 2015 Out of Reach Report, the National Low Income Housing Coalition said that someone earning minimum wage would have to work 82 hours a week to afford the typical two bedroom rent and a staggering 107 hours a week to afford the typical three bedroom rent.