8 months ago
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Suzanne Hayes, a
single mother
residing in Connecticut, had established a life centered around the home she had been renting for six years. The house's location allowed her to maintain proximity to her ex-partner and her children's schools, making it an ideal setting for the family's daily routine.
However, in February, her landlord informed her that the house she had called home for six years was being sold, and she was required to vacate the premises by March 1.
The news came as a shock, compounding the uncertainty, the New York Post reported.
The month-to-month lease had always kept her on edge, and the persistent maintenance issues had further contributed to her stress. Now, faced with a definite deadline to relocate, the uncertainty had escalated into a full-blown crisis.
Desperate to find a new home, Hayes started finding homes on Zillow, hoping to discover an affordable and suitable option for her family. Two-bedroom apartments were listed at $2,700, while three-bedroom units commanded $3,000 in Connecticut which far exceeded her financial means. Compounding her distress, several of her applications were rejected due to her less-than-perfect credit score.
"I was defeated. My plate was not just full. It was breaking and leaving a mess all around me," Hayes told Business Insider.
As options became scarce, Hayes stumbled upon the
Avon Old Farms Hotel
in Avon, Connecticut. The hotel presented a two-bedroom apartment on-site for $2,200 a month which was far less than the rent being demanded. She soon moved out of her home to the hotel which offered her both comfort and amenities.
Connecticut has been deemed the worst for renters, grappling with high costs and limited availability. A July study by Consumer Affairs revealed that the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Connecticut is $1,441, a sum that many families find unaffordable.
While the
housing crisis
in Connecticut has ignited political debates, Hayes has chosen to prioritize her
family's well-being
. "I'm really just kind of focused on myself and my family, and I hope that whoever is elected can make some real change in both the economy at large and this housing crisis for people like me," she told Fox News.
English (US)