In a recent government meeting, officials presented findings from a housing survey that highlighted significant disparities in home ownership and housing quality among different racial and ethnic groups in Johnson County. The survey revealed that approximately 63% of respondents own their homes, while 33% rent, and 4% have alternative living arrangements. These figures align closely with census data, suggesting a representative sample.

The median monthly housing costs for homeowners in the survey were reported at around $1,200. However, the data indicated that 58% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing, a threshold that signifies a housing cost burden. In contrast, only 13% of homeowners reported similar financial strain.

Racial disparities were particularly pronounced, with only 23% of non-Hispanic Black or African American respondents and 21% of Hispanic or Latino respondents owning their homes, compared to 75% of white, non-Hispanic respondents. Additionally, housing quality varied significantly by race, with 34% of Hispanic and Latino respondents rating their housing as fair to poor, the highest dissatisfaction rate among the groups surveyed.

The meeting also addressed the financial challenges faced by minority groups, noting that a disproportionate number of Hispanic and Latino and non-Hispanic Black respondents reported difficulties in paying housing or utility bills. The survey found that 31% of respondents earning less than $40,000 annually experienced rent increases of $50 to $200 per month, with 4% facing increases exceeding $200.

Relocation patterns revealed that 42% of non-Hispanic Black respondents had moved within the past two years, often due to unaffordable rent, compared to 22% of white respondents. The survey also highlighted the emotional toll of eviction, with 2% of respondents reporting eviction experiences. Among those evicted, 86% found themselves without permanent housing afterward, and many faced prolonged periods of instability before securing new accommodations.

The officials emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of these issues, advocating for a reassessment of the survey next year to track changes and better address the systemic inequities affecting housing in the community.