facts & figures

Lutheran, The, Jul 2004

68 percent of U.S. households (72.6 million) owned homes in 2001, an alltime high. That's 9.4 million more than in 1994, and people of color account for 40 percent of the gain.

$68,000 Median net wealth of homeowners in bottom fifth of income distribution.

$500 Median net wealth of renters in bottom fifth of income distribution.

25 percent The increase in likelihood that children of homeowners will graduate from high school. They're also 116 percent more likely to graduate from college and 59 percent more likely to own a home within 10 years of moving from their parents' household.

$213,800 Average sale price of an existing home in the United States in May 2003.

$56,405 Average selling price of a Habitat for Humanity house at the same time.

SOURCES: STATE OF THE NATION'S HOUSING, 2002 AND 2003; NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS; HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL.