By Chad Martinez
Rising rent has been a threat to low-income households in San Jose, California. Many find themselves spending over half of their paycheck on rent. It becomes hard for these people to put some food on the table, especially for larger families, and some are left homeless because they simply can’t afford to pay rent.
It’s no surprise that people struggle to pay rent. Rental costs in California are some of the highest in the country. According to latimes.com, “In 2016, 29% of California tenants put more than half their income-before any deductions-toward rent and utilities.” That is a big portion of the population throughout California spending over half of their checks just on rent and utilities, which are necessary. Even though wages are higher in the Bay Area, it is not keeping up with the rent increases.
With the high rent prices, many young adults looking to move out from their parent’s house are faced with a challenge. Erik is a family friend who is 20 years old and currently lives with his parents in San Jose, California, but he is soon going to face a tough choice. He is still going to college, which is what keeps him living with his parents.
”Rent has made me think twice about renting in this area,” he said. He still hasn’t made up his mind about continuing to live in San Jose, but Erik says that he hopes to find cheap apartments near his job after he moves out. Something pricy can make it tough for him when he starts working full time.
There are some people who choose to stay living with their parents and some are almost forced because they wouldn’t be able to rent on their own. Another alternative is renting with friends or family in order to avoid the costs’ of renting on your own.
My family has been feeling the rent increases as well. My older brother, Vicente, has been struggling to pay rent for the past 6 years. He did not have the opportunity to attend college,and has been stuck working at minimum wage jobs for that reason. Vicente has been renting with others to save money.
“I have been renting with one of my friends to atleast have a chance at saving some money,” he says. He wouldn’t be able to pay for his own apartment because his wage simply doesn’t allow for that to happen in this area.
However, some people don’t have someone else to rent with or support them, and end up living in the streets. They can’t afford to pay their monthly rent or put some food on their table. Sadly, the number of people living in the streets might increase.
According to Mercury News, “California accounts for about 12 percent of the nations population, but more than 20 percent of the nation’s homeless live here.” As a result of the rent rising, it has caused much more homelessness in the streets. Many of the people living on the streets can’t pay off rent or can’t recover from losing a job.
Even though high rent costs are affecting San Jose, it is a statewide problem that many other cities in the state are experiencing. Maybe one day we will see a balance in salaries and rent prices. This will result in less struggle for many families.
It’s no surprise that people struggle to pay rent. Rental costs in California are some of the highest in the country. According to latimes.com, “In 2016, 29% of California tenants put more than half their income-before any deductions-toward rent and utilities.” That is a big portion of the population throughout California spending over half of their checks just on rent and utilities, which are necessary. Even though wages are higher in the Bay Area, it is not keeping up with the rent increases.
With the high rent prices, many young adults looking to move out from their parent’s house are faced with a challenge. Erik is a family friend who is 20 years old and currently lives with his parents in San Jose, California, but he is soon going to face a tough choice. He is still going to college, which is what keeps him living with his parents.
”Rent has made me think twice about renting in this area,” he said. He still hasn’t made up his mind about continuing to live in San Jose, but Erik says that he hopes to find cheap apartments near his job after he moves out. Something pricy can make it tough for him when he starts working full time.
There are some people who choose to stay living with their parents and some are almost forced because they wouldn’t be able to rent on their own. Another alternative is renting with friends or family in order to avoid the costs’ of renting on your own.
My family has been feeling the rent increases as well. My older brother, Vicente, has been struggling to pay rent for the past 6 years. He did not have the opportunity to attend college,and has been stuck working at minimum wage jobs for that reason. Vicente has been renting with others to save money.
“I have been renting with one of my friends to atleast have a chance at saving some money,” he says. He wouldn’t be able to pay for his own apartment because his wage simply doesn’t allow for that to happen in this area.
However, some people don’t have someone else to rent with or support them, and end up living in the streets. They can’t afford to pay their monthly rent or put some food on their table. Sadly, the number of people living in the streets might increase.
According to Mercury News, “California accounts for about 12 percent of the nations population, but more than 20 percent of the nation’s homeless live here.” As a result of the rent rising, it has caused much more homelessness in the streets. Many of the people living on the streets can’t pay off rent or can’t recover from losing a job.
Even though high rent costs are affecting San Jose, it is a statewide problem that many other cities in the state are experiencing. Maybe one day we will see a balance in salaries and rent prices. This will result in less struggle for many families.