The letter regarding rent by Greg Thody (“Rent: Article was deceiving; figures inaccurate,” Oct. 18) was deceiving. Using the information in his letter, I came up with totally different figures. The monthly figure of $2,335 is close enough but this is take-home pay not gross. At an average deduct of 26.5 percent (taxes and other deductions, not including union dues) the gross required for this take home would be $3,176 per month or $19.85 per hour!
Then comes the issue of number of incomes needed to reach this amount. The letter writer mentions two minimum wage earners, then says “in what previous generation could one person earning minimum wage afford a modest two-bedroom apartment?” I don’t know of anyone at any time, including the present, who earns minimum wage and can afford rent at 30 percent of their income. What about a single parent with kids? The amounts shown don’t reflect day care costs.
Current rents may be below the market but that market is not based on affordability by minimum-income wage earners!
Monroe
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