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More Expensive To Rent Or Buy?

By The Associated Press

A new report says renters in Alabama spend more on housing costs than homeowners and many lack enough income for affordable housing. More Expensive To Rent Or Buy?

Published: Thu, July 24, 2008 - 11:47 am

ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) - A report by advocacy group Alabama Arise
has found that the state's 500,000 renters spend more on housing costs than homeowners and many lack enough income for affordable
housing.
The study titled "Locked Out: Low Wages and Affordable Housing
in Alabama" was released Wednesday and blames the housing struggle
on low incomes and the rising cost of living.
Senior Alabama Arise policy analyst Ron Gilbert wrote the report
and said the numbers could get worse over the next year.
The study also found that 48 percent of renters in Calhoun
County couldn't afford the fair market rent of $526 a month for a
two-bedroom apartment.
Gilbert said the situation could be improved if the efforts of a
housing trust fund task force that the Legislature created this
year are successful.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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∞ "Locked Out: Low Wages and Affordable Housing In Alabama"

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southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:28 pm

This situation makes me wonder if we will be back to multiple generations sharing homes.

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southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Well, it doesn’t have inground pool and granite countertops or a second bathroom. But it will be mine in 17 years!

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DeterminedOne Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:21 pm

You were extremely BLESSED to find a home like that! I guess I will be renewing my lease for another 6 months and probably paying more than I am now…

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southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:20 pm

I guess I was lucky I found a home to rent then purchased it from the owners for nothing down. I always figured my take home pay per week was about equal to what I should pay per month in rent. It’s kept me pretty sound as far as finances.

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Chellie28 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:10 pm

Really???? I moved right after Katrina, but I do know they have a yearly increase, which is ridiculous to charge the tenants that are renewing a lease more money. DId they up the rent on current tenants or ones that were trying to get an apartment?

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asda Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 2:58 pm

I don’t know about everyone else but I thought it was horrible what all of the rental properties did after Katrina. All of the sudden the apartments rent went up by 100 bucks a month just because they could.

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Chellie28 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm

Thank you, cmb1, and I will…The government needs to place some kind of accountibility on some of these people that feel they don’t have to work and have so much free time on their hands to spit out all these children, I thought Mobile had this in place after they opened that community center in the Birdsville area. They taught them how to get into the workforce and eventually off of gov. asst.

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Chellie28 I commend you for working and not being in the system (welfare) keep on working and one day you will get what you deserve!!!

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Right on Tide Fan, that is exactly the truth and someone needs to tell the Government (welfare dept) that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tide Fan Says:

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 2:25 pm

What yall just said is 100% true…The less money and more kids you have…the easier it is to find housing…Our country..over time..has made it a point to reward people that prefer not to work and make bunches of babies…sad

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