Skyrocketing Rent Prices are Not Helping the Homeless Situation

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 "While rents are up as much as 23% from last year across the country according to a new report from Rent.com, Oregon's figures are even worse. 

Consider that the average rent rose to $1,600 in 2021 from about $1,000 a month, a 54% increase, according to the website."



Everyone knows that the amount of people suffering a homeless situation in America is exponential. There are many different variables that come into play. These can range from, unfortunate circumstances, bad decisions, substance abuse, mental health problems, etc. One that that it shouldn't be such a large effect is that rent prices rise at such staggering rates within a couple years, especially since minimum wage doesn't keep up.

This doesn't come as much surprise though. Most of your average Americans have struggled with this for most of their lives; living paycheck to paycheck. The looming fear of losing your home is one that has been a constant for decades. It's no surprise then that we as a society are seeing these kind of results, as unfortunate as they are. 

According to the Portland Business Journal rent prices in the month of February for a one- bedroom apartment are up about 30 - 39% from that of last year. That number is ludicrous and it isn't just here in Oregon. Washington has a seen a 20% increase and some parts of Idaho are at nearly a 60% increase. The amount of people suffering from homelessness is expected to increase with prices not coming down anytime soon.



Posted By: Jerek Rauch

PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2022/02/16/portland-rent-rising-prices.html#:~:text=Consider%20that%20the%20average%20rent,per%20one%20Rent.com%20page.

KOIN NEWS

https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/will-rent-prices-continue-to-surge-as-pandemic-fades/

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