Renters In America Are Running Out Of Options

The system isn't broken. The system is working exactly as it was designed. It's just not designed for us.

America’s practices are so predatory in literally every single plausible way: healthcare, housing, living wage, school tuition/student loans, gas, groceries, every day-to-day necessity. What even is an “American Dream” anymore? This is a NIGHTMARE.

The issue is that either the renter or the owner must in some way pay insurance and property taxes if they want a "permanent roof" with utilities like electricity, gas and water. Because of this, many people—at least in California, where I currently reside—are living in tents. No taxes, rent, mortgages, or insurance. The number of people who tell me they live in their car that I meet amazes me. Its crazy out here!

Whether it be landlords or other companies, such as insurance companies, car insurance, everyone’s trying to squeeze every last penny they can get out of you these days and it is getting annoying

If you steal from the poor, you're hailed as a savvy business man/woman. If you steal from the rich, you're called a crook.

My grandma's rent went up around 40% and she is on social security. Unfortunately she couldn't afford to live anymore and moved in with my family. Imagine working your whole life just to end up homeless. What a damn shame.

In my opinion, a housing market crash is imminent due to the high number of individuals who purchased homes above the asking price despite the low interest rates. These buyers find themselves in precarious situations as housing prices decline, leaving them without any equity. If they become unable to afford their homes, foreclosure becomes a likely outcome. Even attempting to sell would not yield any profits. This scenario is expected to impact a significant number of people, particularly in light of the anticipated surge in layoffs and the rapid increase in the cost of living.

I worked 60 yrs. I am 94 yrs. old. I live in a 1 b/r apt. in Plano, Tx. My RENT is 68% of my Soc. Sec. Check. I had to give up Cable, sell my Vehicle, (could not afford the Insurance and Mtn. on it). It is difficult to maintain a signal on my cell phone because the cell phone tower has been relocated. Strongest signal I can get is one bar. I keep the phone on a table next to a window in order to pick it up. Because I live on the first floor and there are blgs. in front of my apt. It is a flip phone not a smart phone. I also have to pay the electric bill also. Texas is the only state in the Union not connected to the National Grid. Thank goodness North Dallas has a FOOD BANK where there is FOOD available for Seniors.

They did her so dirty telling her she could rent to own and then pulled the rug out from under her. People are so evil!

There is no reason why a 75 year old person should be homeless in this country. This report is heartbreaking.

I left the US for Mexico where it's illegal to raise the rent more than 6% a year. Real estate companies in the US have become the new cartel

When you're priced out of a trailer park... there's a problem

The best part of this is you are usually not eligible to get a mortgage due to your credit score but somehow you can pay the same or even higher monthly payments for your rent. 👏

Affordable housing doesn’t even account for people who are working with decent jobs and literally are still paying 50% of their income in rent. Edit: I didn’t think this comment would get this many likes so it comforting to see that a lot of you all agree with my observation. I’d also like to address a lot of the comments that assume that I even made this comment about myself or I am “living above my means”… the people that I am referring to are not paying 2400 for a swanky one bedroom in downtown. They are paying 2400 for a old, run down, white appliances barely unkept one bedroom with zero amenities and no utilities ….I’m seeing a lot of assumptions which is a huge part of the issue in first place.

A year later; and NOTHING has changed 😞 Greed is always the problem with our systems.

People can't afford rent, and with the interest rates, we can't afford mortgages. wtf are we supposed to do 😢

I retired with 1800 dollars a month, I couldn't afford my medicine after paying rent and utilities. I now live in South America and am comfortable and it's sad the USA has come to this, thanks Vice for reporting this.

Me and a friend got a apartment when we were in our early 20's that was a little over $750 a month. Literally a few months later the apartments got bought by another company and we got a notice saying two bedroom apartments would now cost over $1300 a month. And there are people wondering why kids still live with their parents well into their 30's.

Renter’s aren’t the only ones running out of options. As a homeowner and retiree in Florida, my homeowner’s insurance just increased from $2700 to $6000. I still pay a mortgage or I would cancel my homeowner’s insurance. I am also an Army Veteran and until you lose your house and car then there are not any programs to assist. Soon to be homeless.

The effects of the downturn are beginning to sink in. People are being impacted by the long-term decline in property prices and the housing market. I recently sold my house in the California area, and I want to invest my lump-sum profit in the stock market before prices start to rise again. Is now the right moment to buy or not?