People like me, all over Maine, are having to make tough choices to stay housed. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what choices we make — eviction is inevitable. I am a mom with a disability, graduating this week with a degree to become a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, but instead of excitement, I feel fear. Do I keep going to school, do I try to find a job in my field? What will happen if I lose my Section 8 voucher? The world is full of uncertainty, but one thing I know for sure — no matter which route I take, I will likely struggle to maintain housing. I will continue to live on edge, wondering how I can afford the rising cost of housing in our state.

Even with a higher paying job, it won’t compete with housing costs. So many are struggling to make sense of this new world, where housing is a privilege, yet we keep doing our best. The alternative is simple — homelessness, doubling or tripling up with other families, staying in abusive relationships, living in the car, or a camper, or in a tent at local campgrounds that used to represent summer fun, but today house more and more people with nowhere else to go.

Mainers need resources to address our housing affordability crisis. I urge lawmakers to put all resources on the table to confront this problem. Fund the Maine Eviction Prevention Program. Protect and strengthen General Assistance. Fund shelters. Safe homes can’t wait.

Kelli Austin
Waterville