How is Orange County Doing?

Orange County has the second highest number of Homeless in the State (LA County is #1), but the difference is that Orange County creates their own homeless thanks to a lack of affordable housing, zero rent controls and scarcity of jobs paying enough to afford even a one bedroom apartment.

For example:

Fair Market Rent (Monthly)

One Bedroom $1,161 (2006) - $1,238 (2007)

Two Bedroom $1,392 (2006) - $1,485 (2007)

Three Bedroom $1,992 (2006) - $2,125 (2007)

Estimated Orange County Median Family
Income (Annual)

$78,300 (2006) - $78,700 (2007)

Amount a Household Earning Minimum
Wage Can Afford to Pay in Rent (Monthly)

$351 (2006) - $351 (2007)

Amount a Household Earning 30% of Median Family Income Can Afford to Pay in Rent (Monthly)

$587 (2006) - $590 (2007)

Number of Hours per Week a Minimum Wage Earner Must Work to Afford a One-Bedroom
Apartment

141 hours (2006) - 154 hours (2007)

Source: Orange County Business Council Analysis of HUD statistics using the methodology of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (www.nlihc.org)