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Eviction

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What’s more important, food or shelter? This is the hard question many mothers have to ask themselves every month when the rent is due. In low income, primarily black neighborhoods, this is especially prevalent. The cost of living has greatly increased in urban areas like Milwaukee, but government benefits are staying the same, creating a gap that cannot be easily filled. Because of this, many black women with children have to pick between feeding their families and paying their bills, like rent, gas, and water. The majority of mothers choose to feed their children over paying rent, and this often results in eviction when their debt grows too large. The black community is consistently and excessively faced with criminal charges; as Desmond …show more content…

According to a study conducted by Rice and Harvard, eviction from a home can have multiple negative consequences for families, including depression, poor health, and higher levels of stress. These side effects can persist for years, and over half of all mothers who report going through an eviction have experienced depression (McCaig). It is hard to stay optimistic in these situations; losing your home can take a large toll on one’s mental health, and many times mothers have to set aside their own personal goals so they may meet their …show more content…

Children who grow up in low income houses are often teased and ridiculed by peers for not having the newest clothing, toys, etc., for not having a father at home, and for living in poor conditions, public housing, or homeless shelters. This bullying usually results in low self-esteem and depression, as well as the higher risk for poor health. These children are also more likely to have learning difficulties, as well as the behavioral, social, and emotional problems that come with being raised in a low income household (“Child Development”).
So why don’t these poor, black women just get help? Because they don’t qualify for assistance, or they simply can’t wait around that long to receive it. Wait times for public housing can range from 1-2 years to upwards of 10, and after going through all of the paperwork and legal trouble, only 25% of families who qualify for public housing ever receive it; the rest are struggling along in the private market, being refused housing by dozens of landlords. Through this, evictions often encourage economic disadvantage and social suffering in America's urban centers, such as Milwaukee

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