A house RESOLUTION

 

TO DECLARE THE MONTH OF MAY 2026 AS "AFFORDABLE HOUSING AWARENESS MONTH" AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND PUBLIC LEADERS IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADVANCE HOUSING STABILITY AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES ACROSS DISTRICT 49 AND THE STATE.

 

Whereas, access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is essential to the health, economic stability, and quality of life for individuals and families across South Carolina, including those living in District 49 and York County; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina faces a significant housing affordability crisis driven by a shortage of homes affordable to residents with the lowest incomes, as well as a widening gap between wages and housing costs; and

 

Whereas, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there are only 43 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income households in South Carolina, and the State needs more than 92,000 additional affordable homes to meet current demand; and

 

Whereas, a full-time worker must earn approximately $25.91 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental home in South Carolina, placing safe and stable housing out of reach for many working families; and

 

Whereas, rising housing costs place increased financial strain on households, often forcing difficult decisions between housing, utilities, healthcare, and food; and

 

Whereas, food insecurity remains a critical issue across South Carolina, affecting approximately 1 in 7 residents and more than 650,000 individuals, with nearly 1 in 5 children impacted statewide; and

 

Whereas, in York County 10.3 percent of children experience food insecurity, demonstrating the ongoing challenges faced by families in District 49 and surrounding communities; and

 

Whereas, housing instability and food insecurity are closely connected, as increasing housing costs often reduce a household's ability to access consistent, nutritious food; and

 

Whereas, Affordable Housing Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, promote solutions, and strengthen partnerships to improve housing stability and overall quality of life across South Carolina. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare the month of May 2026 as "Affordable Housing Awareness Month" and encourage all residents, community organizations, and public leaders in the State of South Carolina to work together to advance housing stability and strengthen communities across District 49 and the State.

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