The figures are in…and they continue to startle. The median price of a home in Bergen County has increased 14.23% since July 2001, according to the Bergen Record. Passaic County saw a 25.97% increase and Sussex, a 25.77% increase. This continued upward spiral simply rules out any opportunity for a low wage income earner to afford to buy or even to rent safe, decent and affordable housing, given that the minimum wage is stuck at $5.15 an hour, and the proposals to increase it top out at $7.00. With housing costs outpacing wage increases, this situation can only get worse.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 52% of all New Jersey renters do not earn enough to afford fair market rents. Data from the New Jersey Housing and Community Development Network lists the following occupations as being among those whose professions do not pay a housing wage: food preparation workers, cleaning and maintenance staff, nurse's aides, school bus drivers, home health aides, preschool teachers. The average pay for each of these occupations is under $25,000 per year. These are occupations our economy depends on but whose workers do not earn a wage that allows them to live in safe, decent and affordable housing.
Our work continues to be important, necessary and effective.
It has been all of that to the tenant of our first HUD LINKs Project housing unit. She has found a venue in which she can handle her disability while making an independent life for herself. She has plans and dreams and with the supportive services LINKs provides, she is moving forward in her life.
We continue to look for four additional affordable properties to complete the purchases under this grant. We are moving ahead, determined to fully fund -not finance- the purchase of each of these properties. We continue to look for additional funding sources and seek grants and donations from our loyal supporters.
Our third annual fundraiser is in the planning stages. We plan to improve on the success we had with our first wine tasting and food event by hosting a second event in fall of this year. We always welcome the support and response we get from our loyal supporters and from the new faces who inevitably attend our events. We hope you will continue to support us in our effort to bring this exciting and unique grant opportunity to a successful conclusion that will allow us all to continue making a difference in the lives of others.
Keep in mind that The DACKKs Group is an all-volunteer organization. Nearly 100% of your donations go directly to maintaining our properties and purchasing new ones. And remember, our tenants contribute their fair share too- thirty percent of their income….whatever their income.
Karen E. Amy
President
May 2004