As a renter in Washington, D.C., seeking a change, I’ve been watching for potential apartment vacancies due to the recent federal layoffs. One woman’s cramped studio could be my cozy oasis. My search sharply contrasts with Los Angeles (LA) County, where rising rents and disasters like the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires exasperate housing issues like an accelerant. With a 45% decrease in California and federal funding for affordable housing in 2024, the landscape is increasingly challenging, particularly for cities like Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
Los Angeles’s Renting Landscape 2023
To understand the affordable housing climate before the 2025 fires, I analyzed the cost burden for renters in LA County who are female heads of household. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Federal Reserve Board define a household as a cost burden for renters, also known as being rent-burdened, as:
“spending more than 30 percent of income on housing and ‘severely rent burdened’ as more than 50 percent.”
I calculated the cost burden by dividing rent by the family’s total income. I found approximately 55% of female heads of households who rent in LA County experience some form of cost burden (see Table 1).
Table 1. Percentage of Cost Burdened Renters for Female Heads of Household in LA Country By Race and Ethnicity
When None of Your Income is Disposable
Individuals typically need to earn about 3x of their income to qualify for most apartments, which explains why 46% of female heads of households who rent are not cost-burdened (see Table 1). Renters may become cost-burdened when their lease renewal leads to a rent increase exceeding 30% of their income. Additionally, essential utilities like water, gas, and electricity can further contribute to cost burdens.
When considering gross rent, which includes utilities, the percentage of female renters experiencing cost burdens rose from 55% to 62%, a 7% increase (76,530 women) (see Table 2). As cost burdens increase, disposable income—income after necessary expenses and savings—decreases, limiting funds for essentials like food, transportation, healthcare, and education. To address the issue effectively, we need a comprehensive housing policy that considers the full cost of housing rather than just rent.
Table 2. Gross Percentage of Cost Burdened Renters for Female Renter Heads of Household LA Country By Race and Ethnicity
Moving from Lose-Lose to Thriving
The 2024 LA Housing Report reveals that around 494,446 low-income renter households lack affordable housing. Renting is becoming less cost-effective, illustrated by a 3.8% increase in median gross rental costs outpacing home values.
Affordable housing will become increasingly scarce unless we implement reforms to finance more affordable housing units and provide rent support. This includes expanding housing options and strengthening rental and utilities assistance programs to help families secure stable housing without compromising their basic needs. New housing developments should prioritize individuals experiencing temporary homelessness due to climate disasters and low-income communities, who are often forced to choose between spending their income on food or rent. While I may not believe in the American Dream of a house with a white picket fence, I believe an America where everyone can access safe and affordable housing is an attainable reality.
