Consider that heads of households earning the minimum wage of $5.15 per hour in the Northern Virginia counties of Fairfax and Arlington must work 192 hours per week to rent a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent (30% of income). With only 168 hours in each week, the dilemma is clear. A single mother working 40 hours per week has to earn $24.73 per hour to rent a two-bedroom apartment—a salary of $51,440, or 480% of the minimum wage. Housing options shrink further for elderly and disabled individuals who require accessible, affordable housing (Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2006).

Wesley Housing’s below-market rents offer residents savings of 14% to 40%. Such savings allow working families and individuals to allocate income to living costs, yet still have funds to dedicate to other life necessities, including insurance, medication, and transportation. Wesley Housing’s goal is to allow residents to choose where to live, not what to sacrifice in order to keep a roof overhead. Your support makes it possible to keep our rents affordable.