For many families in La Porte County, the joy of the holiday season is overshadowed by a constant worry that affects nearly every aspect of their lives: housing insecurity. Did you know that 46.6% of La Porte County residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, a threshold that financial experts consider the boundary of affordability? When funds are so tight, the holidays aren’t a welcome time of year but a scary time of heavy stress.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind each percentage point are real families facing impossible choices every month. When such a large portion of income goes to keeping a roof overhead, everything else becomes a delicate balancing act. Should a parent skip a needed medical appointment to ensure there’s enough for rent? Is it better to risk driving with worn-out brakes or fall behind on utility payments? These are the kinds of decisions no family should have to make, yet they’re daily realities for many of our neighbors during the rest of the year and through the holiday season.
During the holidays, this financial tightrope becomes even more precarious. While others are planning festive meals and checking off gift lists, housing-insecure families face added pressure that can turn what should be a joyful season into one of increased anxiety and stress. For parents especially, the inability to provide traditional holiday experiences for their children adds an emotional burden to an already challenging situation.
The impact ripples through every aspect of daily life:
- A mother might pick up extra shifts during precious holiday time with her children to cover basic expenses, working more hours than is safely possible.
- A father might skip meals to ensure there’s enough for a modest gift or special holiday dinner
- Children might notice their parents’ stress, affecting their own experience of what should be a magical time
- Families might have to choose between heating their homes adequately and buying holiday groceries
But there is hope. Our organization believes that stable, affordable housing is the foundation upon which families can build better lives. By providing affordable housing that keeps costs at a reasonable level, we’re helping families break free from the cycle of financial instability. When families spend a sustainable portion of their income on housing, they can:
- Plan for their children’s futures instead of just surviving month-to-month
- Build emergency savings for unexpected expenses
- Participate fully in holiday traditions without compromising basic needs
- Focus on creating memories rather than managing crises
- Maintain their dignity while providing for themselves and their families
The holiday season should be a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness – not a source of additional stress and hardship. Through our commitment to affordable housing, we’re working to ensure that more La Porte County families can experience the holidays as they were meant to be: a time of peace, joy, and celebration.
Every family deserves a safe, stable home they can afford. Every child deserves to experience the magic of the holiday season without the shadow of housing insecurity. Through our efforts to provide affordable rental options, we’re not just offering housing – we’re offering hope, stability, and the chance for everyone to truly enjoy the holiday season and beyond.
By supporting our mission, you’re helping to create a community where the holidays can be a time of celebration rather than stress for all our neighbors. Together, we can make affordable housing a reality for more families in La Porte County, transforming lives not just during the holiday season but throughout the entire year.