I'd have to say another contributing factor to homelessness is housing costs. Atleast in this area though I'm sure costs are crazy everywhere.
A small apartment, or even a spare room in someone else's home is running $1200 per month or more. Houses are twice that, and often more. I can't believe how people can afford to pay those kinds of prices, along with car payments, credit cards and living expenses unless they make $10K per month income.
I do have this house, though in MUCH need of costly repairs that I can't afford to fix. I do have a big yard, a garden, ability to have chickens and plenty of room for the dogs to run and play. My mortgage payments are about the same cost as above mentioned apartments or rooms. My only source of income is my social security and if it was just me here, I could still pay to continue living here. It would be tight, but I could make it.
My 2 sons still live here at home with me and we share expenses. One son is a diesel mechanic and makes good money and it would still be hard for him to afford a place of his own. Other son has a good job, but makes much less. He'd never be able to afford to move. It might be possible if they moved and shared costs, but then the dogs come in to the equation. (Dogs are theirs, I'm just the babysitter). Most rentals whether apartments or houses, either won't allow dogs or pets, and those that do are breed specific (rarely if ever pitties). Even if dogs are allowed, its usually one not two, plus having to pay extra deposits and even monthly fees per dog per month over and above the outrageous rental costs.....Oh and can't forget the first & last months rent, damage, cleaning, pet and whatever other fees and deposits required just to get the keys. Often move in costs can be upwards of $5k or more.
Since the condition of the house is always in question, we are one disaster away from being homeless ourselves. I've looked into nearly every possible scenario to pay for the repairs and keep coming up empty handed. My credit is shot and can't refinance. Even if I did, the interest rates alone would nearly double my payments. Thought of selling to the boys for what it would cost to fix and the house itself, and the payments would still be too much. Then tried to have them assume my current mortgage and let them finance the repairs........bank said they have to have $20k up front, then of course the higher payments again. Even tried for a rehab grant for low income seniors and was told the house needs more than they can fund. And I can't sell it currently due to one needed repair, but even if I could I'd never get enough out of it to pay for anything else.
So we are all stuck here, trying to make the best of a bad situation and literally living on a prayer that the house will hold up until we can do something about it. We are just one straw away from breaking the camels back and becoming homeless. And no, I don't think at my age I could do it.
Even though my situation may be unique, I also think the same holds true for most people........we are all just one disaster away from homelessness.
