A new study finds poor Iowans have few options when it comes to getting a roof over their heads. Jim Cain of the “Iowa Coalition for Housing and the Homeless” says one-third of Iowa renters can’t afford a two-bedroom unit.Cain says Iowans earning the minimum wage would have to work 71 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.Cain says the problem’s worse in some Iowa urban areas like Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Sioux City, and it’s equally daunting for poor Iowans in rural areas. He says those areas have a tight housing market that pushes rents up.The study was done in all 50 states by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Here are individual city stats on percentage of low-income who cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment: Waterloo/Cedar Falls at 44 percent; Iowa City at 42 percent; Sioux City at 40 percent; Dubuque and Davenport at 36 percent; Des Moines at 32 percent. Here are individual county stats of note on percentage of low-income who cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment: Appanoose and Decatur Counties at 47 percent; Lucas, Taylor and Wayne Counties at 46 percent.
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