Van Life at 70: Kathryn's Struggle With the Housing Crisis
Here is a post about a 70 year- old- woman living in her van in the Arizona desert.
After Kathryn James realized she couldn’t afford to pay $1100 a month for her one-bedroom apartment; she started looking for something cheaper to rent. Her landlord gave her the news of the rental increase starting in the new year January 2025.
While looking hard for two weeks, she couldn’t find anything less than a $1,000 a month to rent that was located in a safe part of Tucson. Knowing she was going to be evicted within ten days, Kathryn decided to rent a storage unit to house all of her belongings and live in her camper van until she could find affordable housing.
Kathryn’s story is a stark reflection of the growing homelessness crisis, a crisis that is no longer confined to the streets of major cities but is now encroaching upon the most vulnerable members of society—the elderly.
Life on the road is a constant struggle
Life on the road is a constant struggle for Kathryn. Even though she rents an RV spot with electric and water; she still has difficulties getting around to shop for her groceries and other essentials using her meager social security check. She can barely make ends meet.
Yet, despite the hardships, Kathryn maintains a surprising resilience and has faith that her circumstances will change and she will find affordable housing soon. She continues to dream that one day she might find a stable living situation.
Kathryn’s story is a reminder of the devastating impact of the housing crisis. It highlights the systemic failures that leave millions of American vulnerable to homelessness, including our aging population.
Kathryn and countless others like her deserve better. They deserve affordable housing, access to essential services, and the dignity and respect that every human being deserves.
What can be done about it?
Increase affordable housing options: This includes investing in the construction of subsidized housing units, providing rental assistance programs, and strengthening tenant protections.
Address income inequality: By raising the minimum wage and expanding access to social safety net programs, we can help ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to afford basic necessities like housing.
Support community-based organizations: These organizations play a vital role in providing essential services to homeless individuals, including food, shelter
, and healthcare.
Kathryn’s story is a call to action. It’s a reminder that the housing crisis is not just a statistic; it’s a human tragedy unfolding in communities across the country. We must all do our part to ensure that no one is left behind. Hopefully, the Trump administration will focus on solutions to the housing crisis and find people like Kathryn affordable housing in a safe neighborhood.
Thanks for reading,
Kindly,
Carol