I Regret Living in Low-Income Housing. The System Feels Rigged

In 2022, I moved into a low-income housing unit in Michigan. Living here comes with its own set of challenges, primarily due to the way rent is calculated.

My rent is determined based on 30 percent of my gross income, which sounds fair in theory but has been a source of constant headaches for me.

Since moving in, I've faced numerous issues with rent adjustments. For every job I take on, no matter how minor, I'm obligated to report the income.

There have been instances where I failed to report earnings from gig jobs like delivering for Instacart, which led to me being overcharged on rent.

My income was audited—that's when I noticed that I did Instacart for a couple of months without reporting it. I wasn't aware I had to report such sporadic income, but since I made over $200 during those months, they ended up charging me a full month's rent for each unreported month.

This resulted in me being hit with a balance of over $1,000, which was incredibly frustrating.

I enjoy working multiple jobs, but this requirement to report every bit of income has caused me too many problems while living in low-income housing. It's almost as if the system penalizes you for trying to make ends meet.

The primary reason I chose low-income housing was its affordability compared to market-rate apartments. While it's known that getting into low-income housing can take a while, I was lucky to get in relatively quickly, within a year.

Nonetheless, the ongoing issues with income reporting and rent adjustments have made it clear that this will be my last year here.

I'm gearing up to move out in September, heading somewhere even better. I've already started my search for apartments, diligently saving up for the big move.

I feel let down because I had high hopes for making my apartment my home for a good while, especially considering it's quite a decent place for low-income housing.

My rent is currently $553. That's because I'm only working about 20 hours a week driving buses. If I decided to quit my bus driving job right now, my rent would drop to zero.

My rent and utilities would be covered, which are already quite low thanks to subsidies. My utility bills are minimal, with my heating bill at around $15 a month because I cannot stand being cold.

Despite these benefits, the overarching goal of low-income housing should be to provide a temporary safety net, helping residents stabilize their finances and eventually move on to better places.

That's precisely my goal: To improve my financial situation and move to a nicer place.

However, I feel that the system seems rigged to keep some of us trapped. It feels like the system prefers us to be jobless, because the moment we find work, our rent becomes unaffordable. I've been through this cycle since I first moved here.

In my view, low-income housing seems primarily designed for those who are completely out of work. It appears tailored for individuals who are in dire straits: No job, no car, essentially nothing to their name.

It's as if the very mechanism that's supposed to support you in low-income housing becomes a barrier the moment you attempt to stand on your own feet. I don't appreciate feeling monitored or judged based on my financial progress or lack thereof.

I want to be transparent—to share the raw and real aspects of my life without pretense. Life is a struggle for everyone in one way or another, and the aim is to navigate these challenges, not to pretend they don't exist.

This experience has been a part of my journey towards financial stability. My goal for this year is to get my finances in order, to transition from surviving to thriving.

Despite the challenges presented by low-income housing and financial setbacks, I remain focused on moving forward.

It's all too easy to present a polished image online, to appear as though you've got it all figured out. But as I've mentioned, my reality was far from perfect.

For example, I drive a 2003 car, which was a gift from Michigan Works about seven months ago. I was on cash assistance and food stamps at the time, navigating through their path program designed to support individuals facing tough times.

When I first moved here, I was starting from scratch: No money, no car, no job—nothing. Michigan Works supported me with cash assistance and food stamps for a few months, assisting in my job search, which ultimately led to my current role as a school bus driver.

This job opportunity arose as I was required to search for work weekly to continue receiving assistance. Michigan Works played a pivotal role in this period of my life.

So, for anyone in Michigan finding themselves in a bind, I highly recommend contacting Michigan Works.

They were instrumental in helping me stabilize my life by providing a car and aiding in my job hunt. Their support was a beacon of hope during a particularly challenging chapter of my life.

Michigan Works was a game-changer for me. It taught me that there's no shame in where you find yourself in life. Life is tough, and I share my experiences in hopes of inspiring others and perhaps making my channel successful enough that I won't need a traditional 9-to-5 job.

While there are good-paying jobs out there, the journey is undeniably hard. For those living with parents or relatives, I get it. It's a tough world out there, and the only reason I've managed to keep afloat these last four years is due to low-income housing, despite my shaky employment history.

This year, I aim to make it my last in low-income housing and move to a market-rate place. I'm saving every penny, understanding that it's perfectly normal to face challenges.

Life is hard for many, with bills piling up and unexpected events. My escape plan involves grinding on YouTube, holding down a job I'm not fond of, and doing whatever it takes to secure a better future for myself and my son.

Dontay London is a YouTuber from Pontiac Michigan, who Vlogs his day-to-day experiences as a single dad trying to make ends meet.

All views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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