Almost Half of Us Families Can't Afford Basics Like Rent and Food
New York, NY — Equally millions of families struggle to pay their bills as a effect of the coronavirus pandemic, a new ParentsTogether survey establish that nigh half of families take already lost income and that the majority of families won't be able to pay their rent/mortgage bills this month without cutting back on other basics like food.
403,525 people have signed a petition created by ParentsTogether'south advocacy arm, ParentsTogether Action, calling on Congress to suspend rent, mortgage, and utility payments, and order a full moratorium on evictions/foreclosures.
"The stimulus neb is a first step, but it's non enough for nigh families and leaves out many altogether. Millions are wondering how they'll pay their rent or mortgage by tomorrow. We need additional emergency action suspending rent, mortgage and utility payments for the elapsing of this crisis," said Justin Ruben, Co-Managing director of ParentsTogether Action. "Parents are telling us they won't be able to pay rent unless they cutting back on vital nutrient or medication — this isn't a choice we should exist forcing people to make."
The survey of ane,200 families, conducted using Facebook Messenger, establish that many families are already in big trouble.
- 68% of families are struggling as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Between March 18 to March 26, the pct of families surveyed with children under xviii who have lost income increased from 33% to 48%. (See results from March eighteen.)
- Only 38% say they'll exist able to pay their rent/mortgage on April ane in total, without cutting back on other necessities like food. Just thirty% are confident they'll be able to pay their May rent/mortgage.
- Half of families are already having to trade off betwixt paying for basics like rent, utilities, healthcare, or food.
- 82% of respondents are worried about having enough money to cover bones housing and food costs within 3 months. 46% are worried nigh running out within the next two weeks.
- Over two-thirds of respondents say that the emergency i-fourth dimension payment coming to many Americans will help tide them over for a month or less.
People effectually the country are sharing their stories about the bills they face and can't pay by April ane using the hashtags #RentFreeze2020 and #MortgageFreeze.
Here are some of the survey respondents, in their own voices:
My husband is the sole provider and lately his task has been slow. He unremarkably works overtime to make rent, only lately there has not been whatsoever calls subsequently hours and his task has been sending them habitation early. Do we save money for rent or do nosotros buy food? Of course we take to feed our children so we go and buy food.
Patty, CA
We're just paying for nutrient, supplements and basics at the moment, not paying any bills except for a loan from a family friend … Our credit cards don't have much credit left on them. Nosotros have filled out necessary paperwork to our mortgage visitor merely haven't heard back. Nosotros have 2 special needs children that I already homeschool. Simply we have no wellness insurance and didn't qualify for Medicaid. We are just relying on pure faith at this point.
Josephine, FL
I'm a server and my hours have been seriously cut. There'due south been no customers to serve. My husband was laid off 2 days ago … I tin can either buy food for my family, pay my car payment and car insurance or pay a portion of my rent. At that place'southward no way I can pay for all of information technology. I've lost 75 percent of my income.
Ange, GA
My married man and I have gone without nutrient in order to purchase my seizure medication … We are retired and our only income is from one rental property that is currently rented to a single mom who lost her job as a waitress. She has notified us that she is unable to pay rent. We are non well-nigh to even retrieve of evicting her. All the same that leaves usa without any income.
Bobbie, OR
My medication is expensive and the outset thing I terminate buying, then nutrient. We'll definitely be missing meals and I'll have to ration medication to make information technology last longer until I can buy more than.
Ursula, FL
I don't accept enough coin to go effectually. I live paycheck to paycheck so I accept to make up one's mind if I want to consume or pay my bills.
Christie, IN
Total Survey Results
Practise you feel like your family is struggling as a upshot of this crisis?
What concerns practise you have in this moment? (select all that utilize)
Have you lost income or exercise you look to shortly?
Many of us are concerned well-nigh having enough money for food or housing. If things don't improve, are you worried virtually roofing basic costs?
How likely are you lot to be able to pay your rent/mortgage/utilities on April ane?
How likely are you lot to be able to pay your rent/mortgage/utilities on May 1?
Due to loss of income, are you having to merchandise off right now between paying for basics similar hire or utilities or health care or food?
The government is working to pass a bill that would send a one-time emergency payment of $ane,200 to about adults, and $500 for most kids. Given your monthly expenses and lost income, how much would a payment of that size help? It would:
Source: https://parentstogetheraction.org/2020/03/31/parentstogether-survey-half-of-families-already-cant-afford-basic-necessities/
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