No Shelter: Homelessness and the Housing Crisis

Report For America explores how the housing crisis is impacting the most vulnerable groups, increasing homlessness rates across the U.S.

INTRODUCTION

The housing and homelessness crisis in the United States is reaching alarming proportions, with  half of all renters  paying more than 30 percent of their income towards rent and utilities. The demand for housing  outpacing supply  has led to skyrocketing costs, impacting communities nationwide. The problem is decades in the making, as rents have risen magnitudes faster than wages, especially for families earning $45,000 or less, where wage growth in renter households has been minimal or nonexistent. 

These and other factors have contributed to  a 2023 record-high  of over 650,000 homeless people, with 40 percent of these individuals living unsheltered, a nearly 50 percent increase from 2015. The end of federal pandemic assistance, including eviction moratoriums and emergency rental aid, further exacerbates the situation. 

The reporting highlighted in this story map reinforces the direct connection between the housing crisis and homelessness. Divided into three parts —The Housing Crisis, Homelessness, and Exploring Solutions — it delves into 17 stories reported by 11 Report For America corps members. Their stories explore various facets of the issue, from prolonged stays at underfunded homeless shelters and evicted families sleeping in cars for months on end to the struggles of those ineligible for public assistance and the daily uncertainties of living without shelter. Through thoughtful reporting and compassionate visual storytelling, the stories unveil how this issue is fracturing families, upending communities, and increasing obstacles for an already vulnerable population. 

Each year, The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) measures the availability of affordable low-income housing.  Their 2023 report  revealed a national shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental homes, with only 33 affordable homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. All of the states outlined in the story map – Texas, Colorado, California, Florida, New York, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Illinois, Connecticut, and Ohio – rank among the worst in the country for available affordable rental homes, with rates between 23 and 40 affordable homes per family. 

Corps members' comprehensive reporting not only sheds light on the national and individual scope of this crisis but also reveals a glimmer of hope on the horizon through the stories of communities and organizations that are experimenting with new ways to address this crisis. Despite the challenges, the story map presents an opportunity to explore solutions for a future where stable housing is accessible and widespread. As the crisis unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing the shortage of affordable homes is not just a matter of personal struggle -- it's imperative for the well-being of individuals, families, and the nation as a whole.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS

Struggling Families Ineligible for Assistance in Wisconsin

Shannon Pikka, a single mother working in construction in Green Bay, earns just under $27 per hour, which is higher than the median earnings in her area but not enough to support two kids by herself. Pikka represents a growing segment of workers known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), that struggle to cover basic expenses but are ineligible to receive public assistance. 

Single Mothers Working Multiple Jobs in Colorado

Amidst Colorado's escalating living costs, the stories of two women, Justice Wilson and Angeles Gutierrez, epitomize the struggles many endure to afford housing. 

Competitive Housing Market in Illinois

On their minimum wage salaries, Bloomington-Normal residents Anakin Fox and Syd Sterling are being priced out of their city. Facing homelessness, their struggle to secure a rental property is compounded by the competitive and demanding local housing market. 

Family's Housing Instability Worsened by Pandemic in California

Forced to vacate her apartment, Bay Area mother Mirna Arana was given 30 days to find a new place – an already difficult task compounded by the financial instability caused by the pandemic, an injured husband out of work, young children, no lawyer, and limited resources.

Retired Homeowner's Concerns in New Hampshire

In two years, Concord homeowner April Stoddard saw a 55 percent  increase in her property tax bill. She’s 75 and, like many retirees, on a fixed income. Combined with the rising cost of living, including food and gas, the change has her questioning if the city’s goal is to force residents out. 

Struggling Families Ineligible for Assistance in Wisconsin

Shannon Pikka, a single mother working in construction in Green Bay, earns just under $27 per hour, which is higher than the median earnings in her area but not enough to support two kids by herself. Pikka represents a growing segment of workers known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), that struggle to cover basic expenses but are ineligible to receive public assistance. 

“These are people who are working,” said one advocate. “They’re earning more than the federal poverty level but less than Wisconsin’s basic cost of living.”

In Wisconsin, 23 percent of workers fall into this category, and when combined with those below the poverty line, it adds to 34 percent of residents facing financial challenges. Despite record-low unemployment rates, housing unaffordability persists, leaving many residents in a financial bind. 

For Wisconsin Watch, corps member Jacob Resneck details the complex economic challenges faced by a significant portion of Wisconsin's population.  The story  underscores the impact of rising living costs, unaffordable childcare, and a shortage of affordable housing that exacerbates the struggles of working families. 

Single Mothers Working Multiple Jobs in Colorado

Amidst Colorado's escalating living costs, the stories of two women, Justice Wilson and Angeles Gutierrez, epitomize the struggles many endure to afford housing. 

Wilson describes her plight in  this multimedia story  for Colorado Sun for their series High Cost of Colorado. She’s a medical assistant, juggling three side gigs to bridge the gap between her income and skyrocketing rent while also trying to navigate single-motherhood. Despite not being able to cover all of her expenses, she’s also ALICE and at $23/hr earns too much to qualify for assistance. 

Gutierrez, a single mother spotlighted in  another article  in the series also picked up a second job at night to be able to afford rent, but the physical toll of working frequent night shifts led to health problems. She ended up quitting the job and leaving the apartment, making the difficult choice to prioritize her wellbeing.

 “I was just going crazy. I was starting to feel so, so sick. It was like a kind of anxiety. I was barely living.” said Gutierrez

Both women’s stories are told through the photographs of corps member Olivia Sun. The snapshots offer a glimpse into their lives, from their long days at work to juggling responsibilities at home. These stories, contextualized with data by two of Sun’s colleagues, illuminate the harsh reality faced by many Coloradans as housing costs surge. 

Competitive Housing Market in Illinois

On their minimum wage salaries, Bloomington-Normal residents Anakin Fox and Syd Sterling are being priced out of their city. Facing homelessness, their struggle to secure a rental property is compounded by the competitive and demanding local housing market. 

The online housing listings, they say, are often inaccurate – many of the homes that are supposedly available aren’t. In nearby cities, prices are more affordable, but for them, leaving Blooming-Normal means leaving their support system. 

They're not the only ones. In  this WLGT story,  corps member Melissa Ellin speaks to multiple families who are unable to establish or sustain lives in Bloomington-Normal due to the relentless real estate market. 

The impact is also felt by community organizations, like Mid Central Community Action (MCCA), who are witnessing an increase in individuals seeking assistance due to the challenging market conditions.

“They have no idea where to turn because the crisis has gotten so bad,” said the MCCA Director.

The housing crisis, exacerbated by economic constraints and inadequate supply, is affecting a growing number of people in the area, making the pursuit of stable housing a complex and often elusive goal.

Family's Housing Instability Worsened by Pandemic in California

Forced to vacate her apartment, Bay Area mother Mirna Arana was given 30 days to find a new place – an already difficult task compounded by the financial instability caused by the pandemic, an injured husband out of work, young children, no lawyer, and limited resources.

“I see a lot of people on the street and it’s because the rent is getting more and more expensive. Many of them have nowhere to go. They are left alone.” she said, anxious about her family's uncertain future. 

Along with reporter Justo Robles, corps member Hiram Durán documents Arana's challenges through photography  in this El Timpano story  (also available  in Spanish) . From packing essentials the day before the move to San Leandro, to her children finding solace in makeshift toys amid the chaos, each image encapsulates a moment of transition, highlighting the broader issue of a housing market that leaves many individuals with limited alternatives.

Retired Homeowner's Concerns in New Hampshire

In two years, Concord homeowner April Stoddard saw a 55 percent  increase in her property tax bill. She’s 75 and, like many retirees, on a fixed income. Combined with the rising cost of living, including food and gas, the change has her questioning if the city’s goal is to force residents out. 

 In this story  for Concord Monitor, corps member Michaela Towfighi details Stoddard’s concerns, pointing to the wider issue they illuminate: The city's increased tax rate is hitting retired homeowners the hardest, especially those with fixed incomes that don't match the pace of other price increases. 

As taxes rise, Stoddard finds herself with less money for other expenses, raising concerns about the possibility of losing her home if the trend persists.

“It’s very disheartening. So many people are struggling now, what is going to happen? This is how people end up homeless.”

INCREASED HOMELESSNESS

Evicted Families in Connecticut

In the months following the Radford family’s eviction due to their 20-year-old daughter's battle with opioid addiction, they’ve been relying on soup kitchens, friends' houses, and their car for shelter. 

Fears of Returning to Homeless Life Florida

Homelessness has surged in Florida, with unsheltered cases increasing by 38 percent in the past year and 75 percent since before the pandemic. The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida stated that the vast majority of people using their services were experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.

Rising Homelessness Rates for Kids in Texas

After withholding rent to pressure her landlord into fixing the mold problem in her home, Shynice Stevens, a 30-year-old single mother of four, was evicted. For the next five months, Stevens and her children – whose ages range from 1 to 14 – lived in her car. 

Economic Growth Displacing Residents in Ohio

The rapid growth of Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park – who’s annual visitor count at 6 million surpasses that of Yellowstone – has had unintended consequences on the housing market.

Evicted Families in Connecticut

In the months following the Radford family’s eviction due to their 20-year-old daughter's battle with opioid addiction, they’ve been relying on soup kitchens, friends' houses, and their car for shelter. 

The complexity of navigating programs and housing applications adds to their struggle, with the family bouncing from place to place, unsure of where they'll stay each night. Corps member Ginny Monk outlines their daily struggles trying to find housing in  this October story  for the Connecticut Mirror.

The instability takes a toll on the younger children, and their situation reflects a broader crisis in affordable housing exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The overstrained and underfunded homelessness response system in the state leaves families like the Radfords with limited resources and prolonged shelter stays, now averaging 158 days, far beyond the ideal 30 days.  In a September story,  Monk interviewed providers about their perspective of this worsening crisis. 

They expressed concerns that, due to the crisis, people experiencing homelessness are struggling for longer periods to secure affordable homes. During winter,  more seniors and families, grappling with eviction and unaffordable rents, seek shelter at these facilities.

Fears of Returning to Homeless Life Florida

Homelessness has surged in Florida, with unsheltered cases increasing by 38 percent in the past year and 75 percent since before the pandemic. The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida stated that the vast majority of people using their services were experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.

About a decade ago, 55-year old Angelique Miller was in that same spot. After decades of living what she calls “a charmed life” she was thrust into homelessness after her life took an unexpected turn, including the death of her husband. 

For 10 years she relied on her car and the generosity of a handful of community members. She says these years subjected her to ostracism, humiliation, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. Through laughter and tears, She shared her complicated life story with corps member Lillian Hernández Caraballo for  this WMFE article 

“If you would have told me at some point in my life, ‘This is what’s going to happen to you,’ I would have laughed in your face. Telling you, ‘Not me, I know better. I’m too prepared. I’m too highly educated for this to happen to me.’”

She’s grateful for a home, but since moving in months ago, her rent has already risen, increasing her fears that she may lose it. Since 2019, rent in Orlando has increased by 40 percent.

“I’m afraid that I’m going to wake up from this and find myself in the same nightmare again,” she said.

Rising Homelessness Rates for Kids in Texas

After withholding rent to pressure her landlord into fixing the mold problem in her home, Shynice Stevens, a 30-year-old single mother of four, was evicted. For the next five months, Stevens and her children – whose ages range from 1 to 14 – lived in her car. 

Experts have warned that unstable housing negatively impacts children's development. That rings true for Stevens who has noticed more behavioral issues and academic challenges for her kids.

Her kids are a small fraction of the estimated 125,000 evicted annually in Texas. The state ranks second in the total number of children facing eviction, and Tarrant County has witnessed a surge in family homelessness.

Their continuing struggle and the worsening issue of child homelessness is outlined in corps member  Sandra Sadek’s story  for the Fort Worth Report.  In a related story,  she and a colleague investigate the impact of the shrinking funding allocated to address this growing issue and the organizations on the front lines of it.

As the money from federal pandemic assistance runs out, they’re increasingly relying on the city to adequately fund these services. 

“You’re asking us to solve big social problems that our community faces. However, we’re expected to do it on a zero-based budget.”  said the executive director of Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.

Economic Growth Displacing Residents in Ohio

The rapid growth of Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park – who’s annual visitor count at 6 million surpasses that of Yellowstone – has had unintended consequences on the housing market.

The surge in real estate prices and a decline in affordable housing has resulted in the loss of 15,000 affordable units between 2021 and 2022 as many houses hitting the market were transformed into short term rentals. The housing trend, seen not only in Hocking Hills but also across Ohio, has exacerbated the homelessness crisis in the state.

As a result, some resort to living with friends or family in violation of leases, enduring abusive relationships, residing in cars, or setting up camps in the woods. Assessing the full scale of homelessness has proved challenging due to fluid and often hidden living situations. 

 In this article for WOUB , corps member Theo Peck-Suzuki investigates the various facets of this growing issue – from the rising demand for shelters to the “housing first” model that advocates are proposing.

ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS

Nonprofit Eviction Relief Program in Ohio

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), an Ohio legal aid nonprofit, are addressing the rising eviction rates in Ohio that are impacting low-income rural communities. ABLE has launched a rural eviction relief program to tackle the issue.

Historic Funding Towards Housing in New Hampshire

There’s a renewed focus on housing in the New Hampshire state legislature, with an “unprecedented number” of approaches to address the state’s housing crisis. 

Unique and Affordable Housing Model in Connecticut

The Brookside project is a housing co-op in Connecticut, where six corporations made up of tenants self-govern and self-manage their buildings. This unique model allows residents to buy shares, granting them not only voting rights but also the privilege to live in the homes within the co-op. 

Mayor's Steps To Address Housing Crisis in New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has proposed a series of housing initiatives and zoning changes to address the city's severe housing shortage and affordability crisis. 

Nonprofit Eviction Relief Program in Ohio

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), an Ohio legal aid nonprofit, are addressing the rising eviction rates in Ohio that are impacting low-income rural communities. ABLE has launched a rural eviction relief program to tackle the issue.

In  a print and audio interview  for WYSO, corps member Alejandro Figueroa speaks to ABLE’s  Kristina Coen about their program. 

According to Coen, Ohio has a shortage of over 400,000 affordable homes, driven by inflation, skyrocketing housing prices, and out-of-state investors neglecting property maintenance. The rural eviction relief program targets counties with the highest number of extremely low-income renters and the most significant housing shortages.

Coen emphasizes the disadvantage tenants face in eviction proceedings, with 98 percent of landlords represented by counsel compared to only 3 percent of tenants. ABLE’s right-to-counsel initiatives, which guarantee attorneys for tenants, has already led to a significant drop in eviction rates. 

Historic Funding Towards Housing in New Hampshire

There’s a renewed focus on housing in the New Hampshire state legislature, with an “unprecedented number” of approaches to address the state’s housing crisis. 

The problem for the state is immediate – they have a current shortage of 23,000 homes – but without solutions, it will only get worse with an expected 90,000 units needed by 2040. Subsequently, Governor Chris Sununu's $15 billion spending package for the next two years allocates a historic amount of $50 million to housing and homelessness services. 

The funds will maintain current programs, adjust guidelines for longer affordability periods, and introduce a grant program for infrastructure planning. Beyond that, the legislature defeated harmful policies aimed at restricting tenants rights.

In  this article  for the Concord Monitor, Michaela Towfighi details the various legislative approaches that have been lauded by housing advocates. 

Unique and Affordable Housing Model in Connecticut

The Brookside project is a housing co-op in Connecticut, where six corporations made up of tenants self-govern and self-manage their buildings. This unique model allows residents to buy shares, granting them not only voting rights but also the privilege to live in the homes within the co-op. 

Co-op residents meet monthly to discuss and vote on major property management decisions, creating a strong sense of community involvement. 

The tenants’ monthly costs range from $500 to $750 even for larger family units. This affordability is a direct result of the Naugatuck Valley Project, who owns the land and is committed to keeping it off the market to prevent speculative real estate practices that could drive up housing costs.

Corps member Ginny Monk examines the project’s origins, its support for tenants, and the various ways it differs from more traditional forms of affordable housing  in this story  for the Connecticut Mirror. 

The project serves as a potential model for affordable housing amid Connecticut's shortage of over 92,500 affordable units. The co-op system provides protection against sudden rent increases and fosters a sense of community. 

Mayor's Steps To Address Housing Crisis in New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has proposed a series of housing initiatives and zoning changes to address the city's severe housing shortage and affordability crisis. 

The highlights of his proposal are detailed by corps member Ariama Long in  this Amsterdam News article . The mayor’s plan aims to generate an additional 100,000 homes over the next 15 years by eliminating barriers to housing development. It also acknowledges gentrification concerns and the fear of rising rents in marginalized communities. 

In December, Mayor Adams signed a related legislation, the Fair Housing Framework, into law. The framework addresses the city's long-term housing needs, establishes five-year housing production targets for each community district, and outlines strategies to overcome obstacles. Long details the specifics in  this follow-up article. 

The combined efforts aim to combat the housing crisis by prioritizing affordability and improving access to investments and resources at the community level.

Although the legislation doesn’t address the immediate problem, it acknowledges the forces that contributed to the current crisis and is taking steps to avoid an even worse situation in the future.