Return to the PIE Home PageIn 1990, 28.6% of all households in Columbus experienced some form of housing need. However, the incidence of housing need varies greatly for different segments of the population. Particularly, renters as a group are more than twice as likely to experience a housing need than homeowners. In 1990, 39.2% of renters experienced a housing need compared to 16.7% of homeowners. The group facing the highest incidence of housing need (59.8%) are large family renter households. The next highest incidence of housing need (48.7%) was experienced by elderly renter households with 1 and 2 persons.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) identifies economic burden, inadequate housing facilities and overcrowding as primary indicators of housing need. Economically burdened households are households that spend more than 30% of household income on housing costs. Inadequate facilities refer to a lack of complete plumbing, kitchen facilities, and electricity. Crowding is defined as units with more than one person per room.
Total Number % of Total
Sub-Group Households With Need With Need
Owners 105,965 15,240 14.4
Renters 111,170 40,800 36.7
1 Person 64,467 21,340 33.1
2-4 Person 130,370 26,820 20.6
5+ Person 22,298 8,020 35.9
Non-White 46,411 16,400 35.3
Elderly 32,758 9,860 30.1
Female Headed 18,709 11,560 61.8
Below Poverty 35,073 26,160 74.6
Disabled 7,731 3,780 48.9
Note: Housing need in 1980 was defined as economic burden, over-crowding and/or inadequate living conditions.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, as reported in "Housing Needs and Problems Statement," Columbus City Council Housing Task Force, 1985.
Total Number % of Total
Sub-Group Households With Need With Need
Renter Households 135,839 53,316 39.2
Elderly 1 & 2 Person 15,380 7,490 48.7
Small, Related 49,847 16,515 33.1
Large, Related 8,486 5,076 59.8
Other Renter Households 62,126 24,235 39.0
Owner Households 121,537 20,261 16.7
Elderly 28,172 4,834 17.2
Other Owner Households 93,365 15,427 16.5
Note: 1990 data is not comparable with that from 1980. The definition of housing need was modified to be more specific in 1990. Housing need is defined as all of the following: lack of complete plumbing, kitchen facilities, and electricity; overcrowding; and a cost burden where cost is greater than 30% of income.
Source: "Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (C.H.A.S.) Databook: Ohio," U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Filename: CD-009