KJZZ

A new report said many renters in Arizona are being forced to choose between necessities, like food and paying the rent. The Center for Housing Policy report shows an increasing number of renters are spending more than half their household incomes on housing. Co-author Maya Brennan said one in four working renters are dealing with a 'severe' cost burden.

“These households are working and they’re still unable to, not just afford housing, but come even close to affording it,” Brennan said.

The report ranks Arizona 10th in the nation for the share of working households with a severe housing cost burden, and Brennan said declining incomes and federal housing assistance program cuts are making the problem worse.