Since my parents owned a home and I own a home, I probably have a bias that most people own their home. I think a lot of news coverage shows that bias, as well. I’m continually surprised, when I teach students how to use Census data, at the varying home ownership rates across the country.
Graph from Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
It’s now about 63 percent and it’s falling rapidly, among all age groups. That means more of your readers/viewers/listeners are renting. A new study by The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) underscores that point that people are increasingly renting.
I don’t see too many stories that would help renters, so here are some websites to help you pitch trend, tip or how-to stories:
- “What to know if you rent” from Consumer Action
- Calculator: Better to Buy or Rent from New York Times or another from Realtor.com
- Census data – pick your state, city or county scroll down to Housing
- FAQs on landlord-tenant disputes from findlaw.com
- Tips for landlords on resolving disputes from InBusiness.com