Immigrants feel housing pinch

The cost of housing takes a a particular toll on the household pocketbooks of working immigrants. A new study by the Center for Housing Policy concluded that immigrant working families are nearly 70% more likely than native-born Americans to spend at least half their income on housing. In addition, these families, which earn between $10,712 and 120% of an area’s median income, are six times more likely to be living in crowded conditions as measured by the standard of more than one person per room.

Hispanics make up nearly 60% of these families with critical housing needs, according to the study, titled “America’s Newest Working Families: Cost, Crowding and Conditions for Immigrants.” Asians account for 20%, while others include families from Europe, Canada, Africa and the Middle East.