Poor People Taking Charge

The Washington Post reports how a group of Black and Latino tenants banded together to buy Capitol Manor, which otherwise would have been redeveloped. That's an exciting model.

Unfortunately, it's also the exception to the rule. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released its annual report today. To afford a two bedroom apartment, workers have to make $15.78 per hour. That is more than three times the national minimum wage, which means that parents may both work full time but cannot provide decent housing for their children. The problem is that rent has been rising faster than wages for years.

So have health insurance and tuition. Middle class Americans shouldn't kid themselves. The problem is reaching dimensions where it affects us, too.