HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS TO DISCUSS A NEW REPORT DETAILING AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES FOR MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES

October 16, 2012

Join leading experts for a telebriefing on growing housing and transportation cost burdens for families 25 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, latest census data and policies that can help

WASHINGTON, DC – October 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Join housing and transportation policy experts from the Center for Housing Policy and the Center for Neighborhood Technology Thursday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. EDT for a telebriefing on their new report, Losing Ground: The Struggle of Moderate-Income Households to Afford the Rising Costs of Housing and Transportation, detailing the challenges that American households face as the combined costs of housing and transportation consume an ever-larger share of household incomes.

A key finding in the report—based upon the latest five-year data from the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey—finds that nominal income for the median family rose 25 percent over the period from 2000-2010, but stacked against combined housing and transportation costs that rose 44 percent over the same period, many families now find themselves worse off.

To discuss details of the report and policy solutions that could improve housing and transportation affordability, the briefing features a panel of experts, including:

Jeffrey Lubell, Executive Director, Center for Housing Policy (report co-author)
Scott Bernstein, President, Center for Neighborhood Technology
Chris Estes, President and CEO, National Housing Conference
Robert Hickey, Senior Research Associate, Center for Housing Policy (co-author)
Dr. Peter Haas, Chief Research Scientist, Center for Neighborhood Technology (co-author)

To join the online briefing:

R.S.V.P. to Blake Warenik at
Register for the briefing – briefing begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18
Join the briefing at the link provided and call in at 866-476-8702 (PIN: 520620) for audio

To read an embargoed copy of the report now or set up an interview with a report co-author, contact:

Blake Warenik, Communications Manager

National Housing Conference and Center for Housing Policy

(202) 466-2121 x240

Also available—detailed analysis of housing and transportation cost burdens in the following metro areas: Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C.

The 25 largest U.S. metro areas covered in the report are Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston. Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Riverside-San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco-Oakland, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

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About the Center for Neighborhood Technology

Since 1978, Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability—the more effective use of existing resources and community assets to improve the health of natural systems and the wealth of people, today and in the future. CNT is a creative think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective solutions. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including transportation and community development, energy, water, and climate change.

About the Center for Housing Policy

The Center for Housing Policy is the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference (NHC) and specializes in developing solutions through research. In partnership with NHC and its members, the Center works to broaden understanding of the nation’s housing challenges and to examine the impact of policies and programs developed to address these needs.

About the National Housing Conference

As the United Voice for Housing, the nonprofit National Housing Conference (NHC) has been dedicated to helping ensure safe, decent and affordable housing for all in America since 1931.