The Harsh Reality of Homelessness: A Single Mother’s Struggle to Shelter Her Children in Today’s World

By Michelle Davis

Life as a single mother is never easy, but when you add homelessness, financial instability, and the emotional toll of an abusive ex-partner into the mix, the weight of the world can feel unbearable. This is my reality—a reality shared by far too many women and families across the country. Today, I want to share my story, not just to vent, but to shed light on the systemic barriers that keep families like mine trapped in cycles of poverty and instability.

The Struggle to Find Housing

Finding a safe and stable home for my three children feels like an impossible task. In California, the housing crisis is well-documented, but living through it is a different story. The demand for affordable housing far exceeds the supply, and the competition is fierce. Even when I find a listing within my budget, the requirements to qualify feel designed to keep people like me out.

Most landlords require tenants to earn three times the monthly rent to qualify for a lease. For a single mother working full-time at Staters Bros, this is an insurmountable hurdle. My paycheck simply doesn’t stretch far enough to meet this standard, even with overtime. The math doesn’t add up: the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in California is around 2,500, meaning I’d need to earn 7,500 a month* to qualify! That’s more than double what I make.

The Emotional Toll of Abuse

While I fight to keep a roof over my children’s heads, I’m also battling the emotional scars left by my ex-partners. The abuse directed at me is relentless. It’s a constant reminder of the toxic environment we escaped, but it also makes it harder to focus on rebuilding our lives. The stress of homelessness and the trauma of abuse create a vicious cycle that feels impossible to break.

The System Isn’t Designed to Help

I’ve applied for housing assistance programs, but the waitlists are years long. Section 8 vouchers, which could help bridge the gap between my income and the cost of rent, are nearly impossible to obtain due to high demand and limited funding. Even when I’ve sought help from local nonprofits or shelters, the resources are stretched thin, and the support is often temporary.

The system feels like it’s working against me, not for me. I’m doing everything “right”—working full-time, caring for my children, and trying to create a better life—but it’s not enough. The barriers are too high, and the safety nets are too weak.

A Call for Change

My story isn’t unique. Across California and the nation, single mothers are struggling to provide for their families in the face of skyrocketing housing costs, stagnant wages, and a lack of support systems. We need change—real change.

• Affordable housing initiatives that prioritize families and low-income workers.

• Rent control policies to prevent landlords from pricing out working-class families.

• Stronger protections for survivors of abuse, including access to housing and financial resources.

• Living wages that reflect the true cost of living in today’s economy.

Holding onto Hope

Despite the challenges, I hold onto hope. My children are my motivation, and I refuse to give up on creating a better future for them. But I shouldn’t have to do it alone. No one should.

If my story resonates with you, I urge you to speak up, get involved, and advocate for change. Together, we can create a world where no mother has to choose between feeding her children and keeping a roof over their heads.

Thank you for reading, for listening, and for caring.

#ThinkingOutLoud #HousingCrisis #SingleMoms #AffordableHousing #EndHomelessness

This blog post is a raw and honest reflection of the struggles faced by countless families. By sharing these stories, we can raise awareness and push for the systemic changes needed to create a more equitable society.