Homelessness can happen to anyone. A recent study from PYMNTS shows that 62% of all U.S. citizens report they are living paycheck to paycheck. And a bigger paycheck does not make you immune from this issue. 48% of those earning $100,000 report they, too, are living paycheck to paycheck. Add to this that the average household has a credit card debt of $7,951 and it is not surprising that families are struggling.

The general guideline is for a family to pay no more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent. With the average rent in Greeley being $1,268, that means a family must earn $4,226 per month or $50,712 per year to stay within that guideline. The families served by Greeley Family House earn an average of $19,657 which is less than 30% of median income.. This makes finding even low-income housing exceedingly difficult.

Critical to community well-being and sustainability, all persons wanting to be housed must find affordable housing. Single income families struggle the most as many times, they are limited to one job due to balancing available childcare. 32% of all families with children under 18 years of age are single head of household.

The issue of financial instability and the lack of affordable housing is a critical challenge facing many families across the United States. With a significant portion of citizens living paycheck to paycheck, and even higher earners struggling to make ends meet, it is evident that economic insecurity is pervasive. The situation is particularly dire for single-income families and those earning below the median income, such as those served by Greeley Family House.

To ensure the well-being and sustainability of our communities, it is imperative that we address these issues through increased support for affordable housing initiatives, and enhanced financial assistance programs. Only by working together can we create a society where everyone has the opportunity to secure stable, affordable housing and achieve financial security.