Difficulty Paying Expenses
Nearly half of Black and Hispanic adults struggled to make ends meet in June 2023. So did one-third of white and Asian adults.
Percent of adults having difficulty paying for usual household expenses, by race/ethnicity
Adults in households where it has been somewhat or very difficult to pay for usual household expenses in the last 7 days
Source: Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. Notes: For June 2023, differences between Black and Hispanic adults, and between White and Asian adults, are not statistically significant.
The end of stimulus and child tax credits in 2021 combined with high inflation in 2022 added up such that by June 2023, more than 1 in 3 American households was having difficulty paying for usual household expenses, up from 28% in June 2021. Among Black and Hispanic households, roughly half are struggling to pay for basic expenses.
Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) surveyed 1,600 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee in early 2023, and found that 72% had difficulty paying utility bills and 54% experienced challenges with paying for housing (Likelihood of eviction or foreclosure). About 1 in 3 respondents wanted federal funding to be spent on affordable housing (Severe housing cost burden).1
Meanwhile organizers in Georgia are educating community members about flexible American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds and, as a result, Georgia localities have used ARP funds to invest in affordable housing. In North Carolina, Latino organizers won $250,000 in ARP funds to help low-income homeowners pay rapidly rising property taxes. And in South Carolina, organizers with FoodShare are helping local communities to build relationships with local officials to communicate the need for food assistance (Food Insecurity).2
“Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee Residents Weigh in on Federal Funding”. The Southern Economic Advancement Project. May, 2023. http://100.26.193.31/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Federal-Funding-Community-Needs-Survey-Data-Report-June-2023.pdf
“Organizing for Federal Funds: Case Studies from Southern Organizers”. The Southern Economic Advancement Project. May, 2023. http://100.26.193.31/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Case-Studies-Organizing-for-Federal-Funds-May-2023.pdf
