HOUSING JUSTICE DOESN’T STOP AT THE RISING COSTS OF RENT.

Affordable housing includes affordable utilities. Together, we can advocate for clean, efficient energy and make EveryHome safe, healthy, and affordable.

IN LOUISVILLE, higher energy bills ARE putTING affordable housing out of reach.

Energy Affordability

The Definition of Energy Affordability.

  • Energy Affordability is the ability to warm and cool your home, to have hot or cool water, breathable air, lighting, cooking areas, and free of water damage/mold.
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  • Energy affordability promotes the ability for residents to be able to afford their energy bills while also paying for other living expenses, such as food or medicine, without feeling cost burdened. You cannot have affordable housing without affordable energy.

Energy Cost Burden

The Definition of Energy Cost Burden.

Energy Cost Burden is a deficit that is based on a resident’s spending in relation to their utility cost and income. Residents should not spend more than 6% of their income on utility costs. Those who spend more than 6% are considered energy cost burdened. Those who spend more than 10% are considered severely energy cost burdened.

Residents should not spend more than 6% of their income on utility costs. Those who spend more than 6% are considered energy cost burdened.

Those who spend more than 10% are considered severely energy cost burdened.

The Current State of Energy
Affordability In Louisville.

16%

of Louisville households are energy cost burdened


One out of every four Americans grapples with energy cost burdens, while in Louisville, 16% of homes bear an energy burden of 10% or higher.

67%

of low-income households in the US are energy cost burdened


67% of low-income households in the US face energy cost burdens, meaning they pay more than 6% of their income on energy bills. What's more alarming is that within this group, 60% experience severe energy cost burdens, meaning they pay more than 10% of their income on energy bills alone.

72%

of homes in Louisville have a poor building envelope


Our building envelope is the physical separation between the inside of our homes from the outside. Poor building envelopes increase our energy usage and energy bills, and can affect our health through water infiltration, pests, and microbiological volatile organic compounds.

barriers to accessing affordable housing

RACISM
ZONING ORDINANCES
DISINVESTMENT
INFLATION & RISING RENTS

The majority of the housing stock in Louisville was built pre-1960.

30% of HOUSEHOLD INCOME

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), housing is affordable when no more than 30% of a household’s income is spent on housing and utilities. HUD, as well as the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, have always incorporated utilities such as, lights, gas, water and electric in our shared definition of what makes housing truly affordable.

Learn More

SO, WHAT IS A.M.I. ALL ABOUT?

For Jefferson County as a whole A.M.I. (for a family or household of four) is, as of 2023, approximately $89,800 annually (HUD Calculator). In Jefferson County, to be considered low income, a household for a family of four earns a gross annual income of no more than $71,750.

LOUISVILLE AVG MEDIAN INCOME*

$89,800

80% AVG MEDIAN INCOME

$71,840

50% AVG MEDIAN INCOME

$44,900

30% AVG MEDIAN INCOME

$26,940

Based on MHC’s existing reports, there is a lack of at least 30,000 housing units, most of which need to be for those earning below 50% of AMI

Generally, “Affordable Housing” connotatively addresses households that are considered “Low Income,” which means household income is no more than 80% of the area median income.

14% of Louisville residents are living at or below the federal poverty line — 0r $30,000 annually for a family of four.

TAKE ACTION WITH US.

Generous supporters like you are making this work possible. Here are some important ways you can get involved today.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY TOWARD AFFORDABLE ENERGY

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