Beyond Renting and Owning: The Housing Accommodations of Low-Income Families

“It Is Truly a Struggle to Survive”: The Hardships of Living on Low Wages

“…Residential stability was problematic and both renters and homeowners commented on the difficulties they faced meeting the costs of their housing and utilities, findings similar to those reported by Skobba et al (2013) and Finnigan and Meagher (2019). The testimonies also shed light on the impact of gentrification and rising real estate values on low-income workers, with renters increasing their commute times and leaving their connections to familiar neighborhoods in their search for reasonably priced accommodations, and owners finding their communities unrecognizable and fearing what would happen if they had to move.…”

“…Income level is associated with other challenges that impact low-wage workers’ well-being. Workers who earn low wages face greater housing instability (Phinney, 2013; Skobba et al, 2013). These households are more likely to fail to make timely or full payment of rent/mortgage or utility bills (Finnigan & Meagher, 2019).…”

Finding Home: A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Adolescent Mothers’ Housing Instability

“…Achieving developmental goals, in the face of numerous policy obstacles, may compound adolescent mothers’ difficulties in obtaining independent housing. As a result, many young mothers turn to support from social networks—often their origin families—to provide housing, financial, and caregiving assistance (Folk, 1996; Skobba, Bruin, & Yust, 2013). …”

“…In addition, living with family has fostered interpersonal conflicts, compromising adolescent mothers’ mental health (Hernández, Ramirez García, & Flynn, 2010). Crowding and chaos in these homes causes some Latina adolescent mothers stress that resulted in the loss of housing (leaving or being asked to leave the home; Skobba et al, 2013). …”

Community Land Trust Homeowners: Past and Present Housing Experiences

“…Most studies on residential mobility focus on transitions, the short view, by studying the life events that prompt a change in residence. However, low-income households tend to have more varied housing career patterns that include movement between lower hierarchy housing accommodations, such as doubling-up or living in shelters and transitional housing, that fall outside of renting and owning (Skobba et al, 2013). Clark et al (2003) state that the life course perspective "emphasizes the trajectories of individuals and households as they progress from initial entries into the labor and housing markets to their subsequent moves and adjustments as they move up the job and housing ladders" (p. 144).…”