What is affordable housing?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers housing to be affordable to a low-income family as long as the cost of housing, including rent or mortgage/tax payments plus basic utilities minus telephone and internet service, does not exceed 30% (before taxes).

In 2001, 4.8 million low to moderate income working families spent more than ½ of their income on housing. By 2010, this number had jumped to 9.5 million – just shy of doubling in just 9 years. Over time people are not making enough each year to keep pace with rising living costs.

Families and Affordable Housing

Approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year. 41% of the homeless population in the US are families with children.

The lack of affordable housing is a serious problem and is one of the principle reasons for family homelessness.

Bike & Build teams raise awareness, funding and lend direct assistance in affordable housing projects.

Find out more about homelessness and affordable housing and bike and build

The Trip

I'll be riding from Providence, RI on June 13th and the plan is to be in Seattle, WA 4,000 miles later on August 21st.

Along the way, I'll be participating in building projects in

  • Ithica, NY
  • Youngstown, OH
  • Dayton, OH
  • Bloomington, IL
  • Sioux City, IA
  • Casper, WY
  • Missoula, MT
  • Coeur d Alene, ID

My Story

Riding my bicycle across the country has been a dream of mine for some time. I'm excited to have a meaningful way to pursue this adventure and help a cause I believe in along the way.

I've personally spent multiple years living in subsidized housing as a child. My family was lucky to have this transitional housing available. Now it's time to give back.

Towards the end of the trip, I'll be spending my 25th birthday riding 92 miles through Montana.