Quarter of New Yorkers spend half of income on rent

More than a quarter of New Yorkers spend half their income on rent, according to Rep. Anthony Weiner. Weiner said data shows there are now more than 572,000 people in the city, or about 27.5 percent of residents, who spend half their income on rental housing, which has increased by more than 82,000 in six years. The highest rate is in the Bronx, where 33.1 percent of residents shell out half their income or more in rent each year. Manhattan has the lowest level, with 23.7 percent of residents paying half or more. “It is a startling proof point … that New York is more and more a difficult place to live,” Weiner said.