Housing costs are rising drastically. In the five years 1999 through 2004, rental price of primary residences rose by 19% and the consumer price index, rose by only 13%. There is not a single jurisdiction in the country where a person working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year at minimum wage can afford a one-bedroom apartment. Aside from just low wage earners, many workers cannot afford to live where they work, and even in moderately priced communities housing costs continually require a larger portion of a household's annual income. Government housing-assistance programs are massively over-burdened. Currently, only one-fourth of all eligible families receive any federal housing assistance due to program funding constraints, and the average wait for Section 8 vouchers is 35 months.
In 2004, the total number of health expenditures rose 7.9%, and since 2000, employment based health insurance premiums have increased 73%. People working low wage jobs, even if they work full-time, are less likely to be provided with health insurance. For example, Walmart does not provide health insurance. Without health insurance and under increasing medical costs , unexpected health emergencies quickly overburden the resource of poor households.
In 2004, the total number of health expenditures rose 7.9%, and since 2000, employment based health insurance premiums have increased 73%. People working low wage jobs, even if they work full-time, are less likely to be provided with health insurance. For example, Walmart does not provide health insurance. Without health insurance and under increasing medical costs , unexpected health emergencies quickly overburden the resource of poor households.