People who experience homelessness and housing insecurity often also struggle with accessing the basic needs of everyday life. Between high costs and limited incomes, things like food, clothing, cleaning supplies, transportation, and even some dental and vision care are often out of reach. We can walk through a couple of scenarios of low-income households in Minneapolis and see how difficult it is to meet basic needs.
Scenario One:
- Income: $987 per month
- Food Stamps: $188 per month
- Rent for unsubsidized studio apt (utilities included): $750 per month
- Phone: $40 per month
- Groceries: $300 per month
- Transit ($1 rides through the Transit Assistance Program): $40 per month
- Healthcare coverage through Medicaid
- Remaining: $45 to cover any other needs such as prescription co-pays, clothing and shoes, household cleaning and laundry supplies, pet supplies, leisure items like going to a movie or to lunch with a friend, and unexpected costs.
Scenario Two:
- A single adult working at a local fast food job, $17 per hour, hours vary 20-29 hours per week without a housing subsidy.
- Income: take-home pay about $1,330 per month
- Food Stamps: $176 per month
- Rent for unsubsidized 1-br apt.: $1,100 per month
- Utilities: $60 per month
- Phone: $40 per month
- Groceries: $176 per month plus supplementing from foodshelf
- Gas and Car insurance: $90 monthly
- Healthcare premium through MinnesotaCare: $16 per month
- Remaining: $24 to cover any other needs such as prescription co-pays, clothing and shoes, household cleaning supplies, pet supplies, leisure items like going to a movie or to lunch with a friend, and unexpected costs.
You can show up for folks experiencing housing instability and homelessness by joining us for Homeless Day on the Hill on March 11.