Martindale Brightwood: Low incomes and high housing costs fuel crisis 

For those living in the 46218 ZIP code, finding affordable housing is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge. & While property prices have surged in recent years, the median household income has not seen comparable growth, leaving many residents struggling to make ends meet in a community where the cost of living is quickly outpacing earnings.& According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 10,000 residents in Martindale Brightwood living in approximately 3,600 housing units. Of those residents, 78% are Black, and the median age is 37.   As incomes remain low, housing prices are soaring, creating a rift between what is possible and impossible in the housing market for Martingale Brightwood residents. (Photo/Getty Images) Justice40, an initiative to provide underserved neighborhoods with funds to improve the local environment, identified Martindale Brightwood as being disadvantaged for several reasons:& Historic underinvestment  Low income  High rates of asthma, diabetes, heart disease and low life expectancy  High energy costs  Unemployment rates  Education rates  Several of these factors, coupled with being in the 80th percentile for low-income residents, mean that Martindale Brightwood is a disadvantaged area in several areas, including housing.& The median household income for Martindale Brightwood sits around $32,000, around $30,000 less than...