Mr. Carver and I are in the process of purchasing a home. The stress of purchasing a home is exponential compared to 20 and even 6 years ago when I first pursued being a homeowner. After meeting with the loan officer I was speechless at the amount we must come up with for down payment and closing costs. When did the housing world change so much that a family can’t even afford to purchase a home?
I have been arguing for over 15 years now that our country isn’t in a homeless crisis; we are in an affordable housing crisis. Too many times I have seen and experienced being unhoused because of an increase of rent, taxes, and housing and not an increase in salary. This was an issue pre-pandemic and now is exacerbated post pandemic and getting worse.
When you lose your home, you lose the ability to work. This doesn’t always comprehend for people. My partners and I are “lucky” to make enough money to at least qualify for a home (we make too much to qualify for assistance though). But in my anxiety I think about all the people currently living in housing conditions that are in poverty or on the verge of poverty.
According to NPR homelessness rose 12% last year, with 650,000 people live in shelters, in tents or in their car. Some families are “one decision away from being homeless” . I remember these words from the NPR report on the radio and it puts a knot in my stomach knowing that it could be anyone I know or me.
The more infuriating part is seeing new housing come up in the $1,100,000 range signs… who, who could ever afford that, and need that?!?!?!
Every person has a right to affordable housing, good affordable housing, that is built properly and with the high standards. It is devastating that as a whole we can’t see the downfall in the housing market today and how this is an injustice to the majority of the population.
I will remind myself that our personal need for a home is to expand the love to those around us; our housemate, our girlfriend and her three kids as they will join us in our new home, keeping them off the homeless status. We will do what we can to provide a safe and loving space for our ever growing family.
~CC Carver
Well said- thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Candice, for sharing your … and countless others…. anxiety-filled experience in buying a home for the first time – or anytime. The cost of housing and medical care in this country needs to change. Other countries can do it; why can’t we?
Candace, your kindness and willingness to share your home with others is such a loving act. Yes, affordable housing is becoming a real social justice issue, and our country needs to look for solutions for this problem.