The Motel Life: A Family's Struggle with Affordable Housing

Meet Krajewski, a mom with two daughters who's been living in a motel for over a year. It's not just the lack of space that's tough; it's the fear her kids feel from the fights next door. Her husband and son stay elsewhere, and she only sees them on Sundays. This living situation has strained their marriage and kept the family apart. Krajewski's job at a grocery store deli counter doesn't cover much, and she's stuck in a cycle of high motel costs and low income.

The root of the problem? Affordable housing is scarce. Rich Gohl, who works at a nonprofit, sees many families like Krajewski's. He says the demand for cheap housing is way higher than what's available. Local governments use motels as temporary shelters, but it's pricey. A month in a motel can cost up to $3, 000, while a housing voucher could be a better, cheaper solution. But with long waitlists, those vouchers are hard to get. It's a vicious cycle. Families end up in motels, costing governments more and providing less stability. It's not just the Krajewskis who suffer; it's the whole community.

Actions