Update-NLIHC Data: Oregon Renter "Housing Wage" State Ranking Improves Again, Up By 6 Ranks Since 2000.

[Update: Changed (improper) reference to 2 bedroom median rent to HUD 2 Bedroom Fair Market Rent]

The National Low Income Housing Coalition [NLIHC] Out of Reach study for 2007-2008 was released today HERE.

Housing Wage State Ranking
Each year one set of NLIHC data released is a state ranking on the "housing wage", the hourly wage required for a family to be able to afford the 2 bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent for that state. A HIGHER state ranking means a state is LESS affordable to renters; the worst ranking therefore would be 51,and the best 1. (51 areas include the District of Columbia. In order to allow comparison to 2000 my rankings exclude one of NLIHC areas , Puerto Rico, as it was not included in the 2000 NLIHC rankings. My rankings are thus one place different than the published NLIHC rankings for 2002, 2004,2006 and 2008.

My analysis: Housing wage state ranking

1. In 2000 Oregon ranked 30th.
2. In 2002 it improved to 29th
3. In 2004 it improved to 25th
4. In 2006 it remained at 25th
5. In 2008 Oregon's improved to 24th
   

Conclusion: Note that this measure effectively tracks changes in HUD 2 bedroom Fair Market Rents only, and not changes in actual family incomes. Using this NLIHC measure, relative to other states, Oregon's renter affordability has improved since 2000 with Oregon firmly in the middle of the pack among states on this measure.

My 2 page PDF compilation and table of state housing wage data from 2000-2006 NLIHC Out of Reach studies is HERE.

Housing Wage $$ and % Change
The 2008 Oregon housing wage was $13.87. Without adjusting for inflation/wage growth the housing wage increased by:

1. $2.20/19% since 2000. (Washington state grew by 26%)
   
2. $.41/3% since 2006. (Washington state grew by 7%)