The U.S. Census defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or more per room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens). Units with more than 1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded. Overcrowding increases health and safety concerns and stresses the condition of the housing stock and infrastructure. Overcrowding is strongly related to household size (particularly for large and very-large households) and the availability of suitably sized housing. Overcrowding impacts both owners and renters; however, renters are generally more significantly impacted. In 2000, renter households were three times more likely than owners to be overcrowded, regardless of household size.
While family size and tenure are critical determinants in overcrowding, household income also plays a strong role in the incidence of overcrowding. As a general rule, overcrowding levels tend to decrease as income rises, especially for renters (particularly for small and large families). The rate of overcrowding for very low-income households is generally nearly three times greater than households over 95 percent of the area median income. As with renters, owner households with higher incomes have lower rates of overcrowding.
An adequate analysis of overcrowding should:
- Identify and analyze the number of households by tenure (rental or ownership) that live in overcrowded and severely overcrowded units.
- Identify potential resources and programs to address identified needs. For example, a jurisdiction may develop programs and incentives to promote the development of affordable apartments with three or four bedrooms. To address overcrowding for lower-income owners, a community could target a portion of its Community Development Block Grant funds for rehabilitation of housing to add additional bedrooms.
Data Sources
U.S. Census American Community Survey, Tenure by Occupants per Room (Table B25014)
Sample Table
The following sample tables will help organize critical information. The information provided in the tables should be tailored to the jurisdiction and followed by appropriate analysis. (Note: Sample tables are not intended to substitute for addressing the analytical requirements of housing-element law.)
Housing Condition Survey Table
| Housing Condition Survey | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Type | Owner | Renter | Total Overcrowded | |||
| Persons per room | Households | Percent | Households | Percent | Households | Percent |
| 1.00 or fewer | ||||||
| 1.01 to 1.50 | ||||||
| 1.51 or more | ||||||
| TOTAL | ||||||
| % Overcrowded by tenure | ||||||
Source: American Community Survey One-Year Estimates. Tenure by occupants per room.