"My Rent Went Up $1,600": 13 Stories That Prove Americans Need To Vote In Support Of Affordable Housing
Rising rents can be a serious budget-killer, and it often feels like there's nothing we can do about it. But with the midterm election coming up, we can take action by casting a vote. Housing is a super-local issue, which means your vote matters even more.
If you want to see more affordable housing near you, show your support for local candidates who are in favor of affordable housing, and keep an eye out for local measures on the ballot, like zoning changes and rent control, that can make a difference.
If you haven't exactly been keeping up with local politics, because of, uh, everything, search out advocacy groups in your city and/or state that are dedicated to supporting and creating affordable housing. These groups will likely have information for voters to consider before hitting the polls and will often share their POV on how proposed legislation would effect housing prices in your area.
In case you're still not convinced, here are 13 posts that prove we desperately need more affordable housing and are personally encouraging me to vote:
1.Because the way housing prices have gone up is honestly really scary.
-20 years ago, working as a server, I lived in a corner 1 bdrm apt downtown with amazing water views for $700/month. -A similar apt now $3,600/month, more than 5x as much. -As a lawyer at age 47 I am unable to afford living in the apartment I did at age 27 while waiting tables
2. Because school districts begging people to rent rooms out to teachers is one of the top ten most dystopian things I've seen this year. And I'm on the internet all day long; I've seen A LOT of things.
local school district begs citizens to rent their rooms out to teachers because they pay 20 bucks an hour--and teachers can't afford their own apartments from antiwork
3.Because a $1,600 monthly rent increase is just not reasonable and should be stopped.
update from NYC landlords this year: one of my friend's rent is being raised from $2200/month to $3600/month. another friend's rent is being raised from $3000/month to $4600/month. this is a crisis
4.Because it shouldn't be this easy for landlords to cut off access to rental assistance.
My building raised rent, sent an email saying they’re no longer taking any rent help programs and an email saying the fee for late rent is now $100 … there’s been AT LEAST one moving truck here everyday since 🥴😒😒
5. Because the people who literally save our lives every day should be able to afford housing.
I work at one of the biggest hospitals in my city and we're being offered houses through habitat for humanity because we're not paid enough from ABoringDystopia
6.Because I don't want my grandma to have to worry about how she's gonna pay her rent either.
Inflation numbers and charts obscure the human impact. A tenant whose landlord raised the rent $97: "I am a senior citizen. Now I literally have to count my pennies. Get only the bare essentials, no treats. No fruit. Meat is a luxury. I’ve had to cut back my physical care."
7.Because landlords can apparently just do THIS??
My landlord had told me he planned to increase my rent 11% but has decided instead to increase it 25%. Has anyone considered passing some kind of law about this
8. Because who hasn't had their rent jacked up for a unit that's basically half-broken and way out of date. Like, what exactly are they charging us for?
Landlord raises rent 50 bucks. I ask him to repair or replace a window screen with lots of holes in it. Get this note instead. from mildlyinfuriating
9.Because this person is right. We can't "personal finance" our way out of this and things need to change.
I wish folks would stop telling young people how to manage their money. I paid $310 for my first apartment. Based on inflation, it should go for $850 per month now but the rent is $1600. You can’t “personal finance” your way out of of greedy landlords and depressed wages
10.Because rent can jump up like this but our paychecks mostly don't.
I know someone who works in leasing for a major apt complex. The company is raising rent between $750-1000/month. What? 😲 Who can jump from paying $1500 to $2500 overnight for a place to live? And this is happening everywhere. We are on the verge of catastrophic collapse.
11.Because the minimum wage was originally intended to be actually livable.
The average rent in the US hit a new record high of $1,827 last month. On the federal minimum wage of $7.25 people take home $1256 a month. People aren't exaggerating when they say it's becoming unlivable here.
12.Because being able to afford a house someday shouldn't feel like a pipe dream.
1970s: "If I work enough hours, I can buy a house."2020s: "If I work enough jobs, I can afford rent."
13.And finally, because contrary to what your Boomer uncle might think, lattes are NOT the problem.
my grandparents bought their house for $7,000….. SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. it is now worth over $400,000. but tell me again how going to Starbucks is the reason I can’t afford a house
