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MOTEL FAMILIES: THE HIDDEN HOMELESS- THE WORKING POOR
Nationally, about 650,000 individuals/families were living in shelters and motels, at the homes of friends and family,or on the street, At least 1.59 million people were homeless at least one night last year.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of homeless families living in motels did not become so because of bad or immoral decisions, nor do they receive government assistance such as food stamps. Motel residents have at least one working parent or enough income to barley pay $800 to $1,200 a month for a room. Yet even those with jobs can become mired in motel life for years because of bad credit ratings and the difficulty of saving the extra months’ rent and security deposits to secure an apartment because they are literally living from pay check to paycheck. When the average apartment rental rate of $1000 a month is compared to around $800 a month for a motel room, it would seem the motels are a bargain. Not so, considering a typical apartment has 6 rooms, as opposed to the one motel room that must perform multiple functions for the average family of 4 adding in the lack of privacy and adequate sleeping areas. Add to this the fact that a minimum wage job provides a gross figure of $1,200 earned per month and it becomes evident it is a struggle just to pay the rent, feed and clothe children, pay utility bill and other living necessities. |
Those who are homeless and those who live in motels do not fit one general description, but both groups have the same basic needs of housing, adequate income, and health care.
Homelessness is a pervasive problem, motels have become a major housing trend for the poor. Most states have occupancy law which holds that after 28-90 days, residents are considered tenants, which gives them the legal rights of occupancy. Motel owners force families to move before they meet occupancy standard while others make families stay in a different room for a day or two. Many of the motels are rundown and dirty, and their facilities are inadequate to serve as permanent residential accommodations. There are generally no kitchen facilities and therefore no place for proper food storage nor for cooking. The shortage of personal space creates a strain on parents and their relationships with their children. *Children lose their childhood, Parents lose their Dignity* |