Member-only story
10 Insights About Family Homelessness
Homelessness Cheat Sheet for Candidates and Others
1. If a bank customer tried this, they’d be in jail.
One minute her rent money, her son’s disability check, was safely deposited in the bank. The next minute it was gone, leaving Melissa at a loss as to how she was going to pay lot rent where her family’s trailer is parked.
Fearing a return to homelessness, an edge she’s teetered on for several years, she contacted her bank and found out that a past-due debt triggered their unannounced “recovery action.” No recourse or due process. Money. Gone.
This stalwart mother and grandmother begged for help and at least got enough to cover the rent. But then she stared at the shut-off notice from the electric company and looked at the pile of bills that haunt her monthly. With her meager bank account cleared out, she has no clue as to how to pay them. Homelessness right around the corner. Again.
2. Having a bank account is essential, but for some it’s useless.
In Melissa’s case, when her son’s disability payment hit the bank, it triggered the bank’s robbery. To get disability payments, you pretty much need a bank account. That can be almost impossible…
