Renters across the country are frustrated as their monthly bills keep climbing, and a new report is providing insight into just how bad it has gotten.
The latest American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed 49.7% of renting households are considered “cost-burdened” or spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
Alyssa Bolen, of Richmond, struggled to find a place to rent within her budget at all.
She made a running list of all of the calls she made to landlords and property managers, reaching a count of nearly 30.
“It was just frustration. Because everyone that I called either didn’t answer or didn’t have anything available, or it was out of my price range,” she said.
Even now, after finding a rental in her budget, she said she still has to use two paychecks to cover the cost.
We asked renters to share what they are facing on an LEX 18 Facebook post this week. Dozens commented and emailed to share stories similar to Bolen’s.