In 2002, there were an estimated 2,014,536 housing units in Alabama, of which 1,729,893 were occupied. In the same year, about 72.5% of all housing units were owner-occupied. About 68.7% of all housing units were detached, single-family homes; 14.7% were mobile homes. It was estimated that about 81,014 households across the state were without telephone service, 4,505 lacked complete plumbing facilities, and 6,525 lacked complete kitchen facilities.
Approximately 18,403 new privately owned units were authorized the same year. The median home value was $93,917. The median monthly housing cost for mortgage owners was $892 while the cost for renters was $488. During 2002, the Alabama state program received over $50.6 million in aid from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including $31.6 million in HUD community development block grants.
The Fairhope Single Tax Corp., near Point Clear, was founded in 1893 by Iowans seeking to put into practice the economic theories of Henry George. Incorporated under Alabama law in 1904, this oldest and largest of US single-tax experiments continues to lease land in return for the payment of a rent (the "single tax") based on the land's valuation; the combined rents are used to pay taxes and to provide and improve community services.