Tanya’s Story

For many families, financial stability hangs by a thread. Tanya’s* story shows how quickly that thread can unravel when faced with an unexpected expense.

Tanya, a working mother, found herself in a difficult situation when her car needed urgent repairs in order to be safe to drive. In many parts of the United States where public transportation isn’t available, a functioning car isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for getting to work, buying groceries, and managing daily life. Finding herself suddenly without transportation affected every aspect of  Tanya and her family’s daily life.

“Oh, it’s draining me,” Tanya explained. “I feel like if I did not get that [car] situated, I would not have a car. If I do not have a car, then I wouldn’t have a house because I don’t have [any] way to work because there’s no bus line where I live.”

The repair bill threatened to consume the funds earmarked for June’s rent. As she contemplated using her rent money to pay for the car repair, a new worry emerged. Failing to pay the rent on time would result in additional fees, putting Tanya further behind financially. Even worse, it raised the possibility of eviction.

This situation illustrates the precarious balance many families maintain:

1. One unexpected expense can trigger a chain reaction, threatening housing stability.
2. The lack of financial cushion means choosing between critical needs—in this case, transportation versus housing.
3. Stress from these decisions impacts mental health and overall well-being.
4. Time spent dealing with financial crises is time taken away from work, family, and personal development.

The Impact of an Unexpected Expense

For families living on the financial edge, a single unexpected expense can jeopardize their housing security. It’s a stark reminder of how closely intertwined our basic needs are, and how quickly a threat to one can become a threat to all.

Recognizing the urgency of Tanya’s situation. Footbridge provided $710 toward Tanya’s rent—the exact amount she had to divert to her car repair.

This assistance did more than just cover rent:

• It provided Tanya breathing room to address her car issues without the threat of eviction.
• It prevented the accumulation of late fees on her rent.
• Most importantly, it kept Tanya and her child in their home, maintaining crucial stability.

Tanya’s case illustrates a critical point. Housing stability isn’t just about having enough money for rent. It’s about having the financial flexibility to handle life’s inevitable challenges without risking homelessness. For many families, the margin between stability and crisis is thin, and even relatively small amounts of money can make the difference between keeping and losing a home.

Tanya’s story is not unique. Across our communities, countless families face similar situations where an unexpected car repair, medical bill, or other sudden expense threatens to upend their lives. These are not stories of financial irresponsibility, but of the daily challenges of living paycheck to paycheck in an environment where a single spike in cost of living can quickly overwhelm families’ wages.

The Multifaceted Nature of Financial Security

Transportation, employment, and housing aren’t separate issues, but intimately linked aspects of financial security. By recognizing these connections and addressing needs comprehensively, we can help more families maintain the stability they need to thrive.

Tanya’s journey from the brink of crisis to stability is an example of the value of timely, targeted assistance as part of a network of community-based support. It also underscores the need for policies that promote:

• Living wages
• Affordable housing
• Stronger safety nets for families facing unexpected financial shocks
• Improved public transportation infrastructure.

Whether through supporting organizations like Footbridge, advocating for policy changes, or simply being aware of the challenges our neighbors may face, we all have a role to play in preventing the domino effect of financial instability, and in working  towards a future where a car repair doesn’t mean choosing between mobility and shelter.