Legislature 2024: Part I ALICE in Florida HOUSING Sharisse Brantley, 29, and her husband, Breun, 32, are the parents of three young children. She is a childcare professional with a college degree, taking care of infants and toddlers at the non-profit Jack & Jill Early Childhood Learning in Fort Lauderdale, which serves working families earning modest wages. He is an entrepreneur and musician who runs a DJ and entertainment busi-ness, Profound Sound Productions, playing par-ties and events throughout South Florida. Sharisse grew up in the same house her parents have owned for 30 years, and the couple have dreams of their children growing up knowing a home of their own. So far that dream has been elusive. The couple live in a two-bedroom town-home with their children, a 1-year-old boy and 44 JANUARY 2024 FLORIDATREND.COM Working Toward a Dream 3-and 5-year-old daughters. The rent has gone up from $1,500 to $1,800 in two years, and they can’t afford another rent hike. South Florida has some of the highest median monthly rents in the nation, according to the Na-tional Association of Realtors, along with some of the nation’s highest inflation rates. A recent study from Florida Atlantic University and two other schools found South Florida was one of 11 mar-kets nationwide where the average renter needed to earn at least $100,000 to not be rent-burdened. Florida had four markets in the top 10 on the list. “We’ve been trying to save money, but things have been difficult with the kids getting sick and me having to miss work,” says Sharisse Brantley, who recently stayed home when her 1-year-old Sharisse and Breun Brantley of Fort Lauderdale have weathered $300 in rent increases over the past two years but can’t afford another. Florida Atlantic University researchers say South Florida is one of 11 markets nationwide where the average renter needs to earn at least $100,000 to afford rent. photo: Eileen Escarda