“You do not see it”: Suburban Housing Instability

You may not realize how many families in our community are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

That’s because housing instability or homelessness does not always appear in a community – including Interfaith’s suburban service area – as people sleeping on curbs or encampments full of tents. 

Yet last year, we prevented housing eviction or homelessness 511 times by providing housing-related financial assists to our neighbors.

Of the active Interfaith families who reported experiencing homelessness at some point last year, 16% lived doubled up with family/friends, and 11% lived outside or in a car.

What is housing instability?
Housing instability refers to a number of challenges, such as spending the bulk of household income on housing, having trouble paying rent, staying with friends or relatives or moving frequently. (Source)

What is housing affordability?
Housing is traditionally considered affordable when a family pays 30% of its income or less for a home. Interfaith clients without housing subsidies spent an average of 62% of their income on housing. When utilities and other bills are added, the strain on family budgets is even greater.

In 2024, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Plymouth, MN, is $1,696 according to apartments.com. Some jobs that might spend more than 30% of monthly income to pay that average rent include A/V Technicians, Veterinary Technicians, and Credit Clerks based on Minnesota wage data from DEED.

Is this you or anyone in your family or social network?

“You do not see it.”
In this video clip from our 25th Sleep Out season, local Scout Troop Leader Phil Zietlow reflects on his initial thoughts after a Scout asked for his support in the early years of the annual effort to raise awareness of homelessness in our community.

Years later, suburban poverty and housing insecurity continue to be “invisible” challenges.

With your support, Interfaith serves neighbors in need of stable, safe, affordable housing by providing:

• on-site resources for renters in affordable housing communities
• financial assistance and guidance to people at risk of eviction
• support for individuals transitioning from homelessness to housed