May 19, 2013
The Big Bend Homeless Coalition says it comes down to basic economics. They say, if the average cost of housing in Tallahassee is seven hundred dollars a month and somebody making minimum wage is trying to keep a roof over their head, they need to work 97 hours a week. That's not counting the other bills, such as utilities.
Kay Freeman with the Big Bend Homeless Coalition says, "In Tallahassee, in order to afford an apartment, you need to earn about thirteen dollars an three cents an hour because of the rental costs. That's pretty tough."
The Tallahassee Housing Authority helps those with low incomes, but it knows first hand the need for more housing options. Claudette Cromartie Executive Director of the Tallahassee Housing Authority says, "We had people lining up, wanting to sleep out on the sidewalk at night the night before, waiting. Because we do it based on date and time of application and they wanted to be number one in the line."
If you can't be first in line to live in subsidized housing, here's some advice. Look for some financial assistance. Reach out to those who can help. Talk to your landlord try and work something out. And do everything possible to keep generating income to stay on the right track.
