
Gofundme is a popular platform for raising funds, including rent payments. According to the article, over 50% of Americans have struggled to pay rent on time.
If you're facing a financial crisis and can't pay your rent, there are options available. You can start by checking if you're eligible for assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which provides up to $25,000 in emergency rental assistance.
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Financial Struggles
Financial struggles are a harsh reality for many people. Over 48% of U.S. adults say they have enough savings to cover expenses for three months, but 22% have no emergency savings at all.
The pressure on renters can make it difficult to absorb unexpected costs. One in 4 Canadians would be unable to cover an unexpected cost of $500.
The main reasons for financial struggles include wages not increasing at a proportional rate to property values and low vacancy rates, and increasingly long waiting lists for subsidized housing. This can lead to struggles with paying rent, with 58% of Canadians worried about affording rent or mortgage payments.
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Here are some key statistics on financial struggles:
- 44% of respondents were very concerned with their ability to afford housing costs
- Nearly half of people between the ages of 35 and 44 had difficulty meeting financial costs in the previous year
- 35% of people of the same age group would have difficulty covering an unexpected cost of $500
Many Households Struggle to Afford
Many households struggle to afford rent due to increasing property values and low vacancy rates, making it difficult for tenants to keep up with payments.
According to a Bankrate survey, only about 48% of U.S. adults have enough savings to cover expenses for three months, and 22% have no emergency savings at all.
Wages are not increasing at a proportional rate to the consistently increasing property values and low vacancy rates, leading to struggles with paying rent. Increasingly long waiting lists for subsidized housing also make paying rent in higher rental units more difficult.
In Canada, a Habitat for Humanity survey found that 58% of Canadians are worried about affording rent or mortgage payments, and 61% of Canadians between 18 and 34 are worried about paying rent or mortgage for the next year.
A 2022 Social Survey on Quality of Life and Cost of Living showed that 1 in 4 Canadians would be unable to cover an unexpected cost of $500, and 44% of respondents were very concerned with their ability to afford housing costs.
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Here are some statistics on the difficulties of affording rent:
- 58% of Canadians are worried about affording rent or mortgage payments.
- 61% of Canadians between 18 and 34 are worried about paying rent or mortgage for the next year.
- 44% of respondents were very concerned with their ability to afford housing costs.
- 1 in 4 Canadians would be unable to cover an unexpected cost of $500.
Alternative Income Sources
Exploring alternative income sources can be a temporary fix for acute financial difficulties.
Seeking help from friends and family who may be able to provide support is a viable option.
Requesting a pay advance from your employer is also worth considering, as some companies offer hardship advance payments for employees who are struggling financially.
Selling used items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or Gumtree can also generate some extra cash to help with daily costs.
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Paying Rent
You're struggling to pay rent? Don't worry, you're not alone. Struggling to foot the bill for household costs is a lot more common than you might think.
There are numerous avenues through which you can start seeking rental assistance today. You can look into a list of ways to get rent assistance, which includes a few different options.
If you're having trouble paying your rent, it's essential to remember that you're never on your own. Recent economic trends might seem bleak, but there are ways to get help with paying rent.
You can start seeking rental assistance today, and there are numerous avenues available.
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Crowdfunding and Aid
Crowdfunding can be a valuable resource in times of financial need, allowing you to share your situation with friends, family, and the wider community, and at the same time gives you a way to ask for support.
It doesn’t cost anything to set up a crowdfunder on GoFundMe and it costs just a few minutes to get your fundraiser live. You can crowdfund for almost any cause, including covering rent and other household expenses.
Crowdfunding can provide crucial rental assistance when government and charity funding falls short, offering quick access to tangible help. Donations can instantly be sent to your bank account, meaning help from loved ones and strangers will arrive right away.
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Why People Need Help
People need help with rent because it's hard to afford other necessities when you're spending too much on housing. According to the OECD, households that spend more than 40% of their income on housing costs are considered "cost-burdened".
Renters who put more than 30% of their income toward rent are also in a tough spot. This can leave them vulnerable to unexpected expenses, like car repairs or medical bills.
Many people struggle to make ends meet, with some even spending upwards of 50% of their income on rent. This lack of financial wiggle room can be overwhelming and stressful.
It's not just about the numbers – it's about being able to afford the basics and have some savings for unexpected expenses. As Laura Scherler from United Way points out, anything unexpected can throw people off and make it difficult to manage crises.
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Consider Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a great solution to help with rent. It allows you to share your situation with friends, family, and the wider community, and at the same time gives you a way to ask for support.
You can set up a crowdfunder on GoFundMe for free and get your fundraiser live in just a few minutes. One of the biggest benefits is that you can crowdfund for almost any cause, including covering rent and other household expenses.
Crowdfunding can provide crucial rental assistance when government and charity funding falls short. Rather than struggling with unworkable wait times and stringent application forms, you can harness the power of community and social media to receive quick access to tangible help.
It's a good idea to share your story through social media to get help from loved ones and strangers. Donations can instantly be sent to your bank account, making it a quick and efficient way to get the help you need.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), households that spend more than 40% of their income on housing costs are “cost burdened”. This means they may have trouble affording other necessities.
There's no shame in asking for help, and crowdfunding can be a way to do so without feeling embarrassed. It's a common side effect for those experiencing financial hardship, but it doesn't help anyone and can actually be detrimental to your situation in the long run.
Special Cases
If you're a veteran facing financial difficulties, there are resources available to help. Veterans Affairs Canada offers emergency funds to cover essentials like food, clothing, and rent.
For example, the Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans' House Canada, and VETS Canada are nonprofit organizations that work to support Canadian veterans in need. These organizations can provide financial assistance and help prevent homelessness.
Here are some specific resources available to veterans:
- Emergency funds from Veterans Affairs Canada to cover essentials like food, clothing, and rent
- Tax-free income support for veterans with low or no income
- War Veterans Allowance for veterans of the Second World War or Korean War
Veterans
Veterans who are struggling financially can get support from Veterans Affairs Canada, which provides emergency funds to cover essentials like food, clothing, and rent.
For veterans who are at risk of homelessness, there's a toll-free helpline available for support.
Veterans with low or no income can receive tax-free income support.
The War Veterans Allowance is available to veterans of the Second World War or Korean War.
Nonprofit organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans' House Canada, and VETS Canada also work to help Canadian veterans in need of financial assistance or at risk of homelessness.
These organizations provide vital support to veterans in crisis, and it's great to see them working together to make a difference.
Kentucky Business Owner
Betty Morris, a Kentucky business owner, took a leap of faith two years ago to open her own business, Loxx & Lumens Studios.
She had a clear vision to create a rental photography studio where the community could come together and photographers could work.
Increased costs for running the business have forced her to consider closing her doors soon.
Morris's landlord lowered her rent by $400 to help, but she's still struggling to make ends meet.
She created a GoFundMe page to try and save her business, which was a difficult decision for her.
Morris is happy to apply any donations to future photography sessions, even if she ends up having to close her doors.
She's determined to make it work and plans to split the space and costs with other photographers if she's able to save her business.
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A Crisis May Indicate a Larger Issue
A crisis may indicate a larger issue. A rent crisis can be a sign of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.
Taking a proactive approach can help you avoid years of financial struggle. By taking a look at the bigger picture, you can identify the root cause of the issue and develop a plan to tackle it.
Ignoring the problem until the last minute can make it even more challenging to overcome. Consider taking free household budgeting classes to determine how to pay your rent or if you need to find a cheaper place to live.
There are resources available to help you navigate a rent crisis. Here are some steps you can take:
- Take an active role in formulating an action plan to end your crisis with short-term and long-term solutions.
- Try not to ignore the problem until the last minute.
- Don’t panic or make hasty decisions, as there are community resources and support in place to help you through this situation.
- Consider taking free household budgeting classes to determine how to pay your rent or if you need to find a cheaper place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use GoFundMe for moving expenses?
Yes, you can use GoFundMe to raise money for moving expenses, making it easier to cover costs and ask for help from your network. Learn more about how GoFundMe can support you with emergency rental assistance and financial needs.
Sources
- https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/emergency-rental-assistance
- https://www.gofundme.com/en-ca/c/blog/emergency-rental-assistance
- https://www.gofundme.com/en-au/c/blog/emergency-rental-assistance
- https://www.gofundme.com/en-ie/c/blog/help-with-rent
- https://www.wkyt.com/2024/08/28/kentucky-business-owner-creates-gofundme-pay-rent/
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