Median Household Income, can’t find housing.

[kite]

https://www.pressherald.com/2022/07/24/nobody-would-choose-this-a-turnpike-rest-area-and-a-van-become-home-for-one-maine-family/

This is so sad.  The article is long, there is still so much left out. And I have questions about all that came before that brought them to this place. I’ve had family & friends in exactly these circumstances, so I wonder about things like where is the rest of their family? Do they consider moving out of Maine? Did they ever own or have an option to purchase?
What it drives home for me is the risk of renting as a long term housing strategy, the importance of having accessible housing before you need accessible housing, and how reduced monthly housing costs enabled by mortgage-free ownership are the reason rest areas aren’t full of fixed-income seniors living in their vans.     

[lifeisshort123]

This article is sad on a variety of levels.  A few takeaways:

- Sometimes I question the mathematical benefit of social security.  Reading this article makes me think this important program must continue.  Imagine how much more dire their circumstances would be without that $1200 check.

- It is good to hear that many people have stepped in to help them in lots of little ways.

- It is sad that financial literacy is so low that these people are now in this position, especially at the age that they should be approaching getting to “enjoy” their golden years, and at a time that healthcare costs will be significantly more expensive.

- Housing has become unaffordable in so many parts of the country, and those unaffordabilities are getting worse.  I am so grateful that I bought my home slightly before the most recent boom began.  I do view my home as a “liability”, but I think it is a less risky one than renting.

- I wonder if they have a case to file with a consumer agency about these apartment applications.  Why are they having to shell out $35 (or more) per application if there is not actually any housing available to them? It feels to me like some of this is not being done in good faith and they are being exploited. 

- I hope that some area non-profits and or churches are figuring out how to address this concern in their community long term.