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HOUSING ASSISTANCE 

Indicator 16

Why is this Important?

According to national guidelines, a family should spend less than 30% of their income on housing for it to considered affordable.  Housing assistance is needed for community members whose income and earnings make housing unaffordable.

Per the Marathon County Housing Availability and Affordability Study, a person’s annual income must be at least $24,120 to be able to afford a one bedroom unit.  When you move up to a four bedroom unit the family needs to be earning at least $46,240.  

There are resources available to assist with housing cost, but the needs continue to outweigh the available resources.  Public Housing and Section 8 wait lists, the limitations of both Section 8 voucher funds and emergency housing funds, and limited resources of individuals all factor into a less than ideal situation for those needing housing assistance. 

The Housing and Homelessness Coalition focuses on increasing the amount of quality, affordable housing in Marathon County.

Key Takeaways

In 2018 there were 2742 request for housing assistance through United Way's 211.  321 of those requests resulted in an unmet need.

The Wausau Community Development Authority is currently utilizing 250 of their 435 vouchers based on current funding allocation.  The average unit cost per voucher is based on family size and other factors, with the recipient paying the balance of the rent. 

100 families are currently on the Section 8 wait list.  Families can only be added to the wait list when it is officially open.  There is usually between 250 to 400 applications received at the time the wait list is opened. 

County: Marathon Number of Households Receiving Emergency Housing Assistance Funds (EHAF)

Current Value:

Number of Households Receiving Emergency Housing Assistance Funds (EHAF)

240
(2022)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Marathon (240) is not statistically different from the previously measured value (240).
Prior Value
(240)
Over time, the Marathon value is decreasing, not significantly.
Trend
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Average monthly rents for home/apartments in Marathon County.

County: Marathon Renters Spending 30% or More of Household Income on Rent

Current Value:

Renters Spending 30% or More of Household Income on Rent

42.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Marathon has a value of 42.9% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 39.6% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 42.0%.
WI Counties
Compared to U.S. Counties, Marathon has a value of 42.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 44.3% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 49.8%.
U.S. Counties
Compared to the WI Value (43.1%), Marathon has a value of 42.9% which is lower and better.
WI Value
(43.1%)
Compared to the US Value (49.9%), Marathon has a value of 42.9% which is lower and better.
US Value
(49.9%)
Over time, the Marathon value is decreasing, not significantly.
Trend
Compared to the HP 2030 Target (25.5%), the target has not been met.
HP 2030 Target
(25.5%)
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LIFE Survey: Resident Perspectives

49% of LIFE Survey respondents state they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

The number of individuals spending more than 30% of their income on housing has increased by 3% since the 2017 survey.

40% of LIFE Survey respondents state they do not have 3 months of savings to cover their expenses in the event of an emergency.

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Generated by www.healthymarathoncountypulse.org/ on May 18, 2024.