Housed, but hanging on by thread: Vancouver family struggles as they watch neighbors end up homeless

A tan duplex in a quiet Vancouver cul-de-sac tells the harrowing story of the city’s housing affordability crisis.

On the right side of the duplex lives a formerly homeless family of four stretching to pay $1,895 in rent each month. The left side sits empty after February’s eviction of a family of six now out on the streets.

Finding a place to live doesn’t end the struggle for many coming out of homelessness. In January, 17 people returned to homelessness from housing, according to Council for the Homeless data. State advocates predict numbers will grow across the state after lawmakers killed a rent stabilization bill this week.

“Homelessness is right around the corner for us,” said Monica Zazueta, whose family is clinging to their unit in the duplex.

For 27 days, the family had no place to live.

Then, Zazueta and her family found the duplex where they’ve been living since 2022. Rent is $1,895. Zazueta is a paid member of several agency boards. Tabor, 38, picks up handyman jobs. Their 9-year-old child receives Social Security Disability Insurance. The family also receives food benefits and utility assistance. All told, it’s barely enough to cover the rent.

“It’s like we’re not even human beings. We’re just dollar signs, and it’s always about the economy but not about our mental health, our kids’ mental health,” Zazueta said.

In December, the couple fell behind on rent and received a notice to vacate in 30 days. Zazueta said a friend set up a GoFundMe account for her and her family, which garnered enough donations for them to “barely escape” eviction.

“They say if you can’t afford it, you can find somewhere else to live,” she said. “Where? Where can I go in (Vancouver)? I don’t want to move somewhere else; I’ve worked and lived here since 2005. I have a community, friends here.”

Housing doesn’t end cycles of homelessness. A study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness found Americans are returning to homelessness after being housed at far greater rates than before the pandemic.

Communities where people spend more than 32 percent of their income on rent can expect a more rapid increase in homelessness, according to a Zillow-sponsored study. In Clark County, 25 percent of Vancouver renters pay more than half their income on rent, according to a recent Harvard University study.

A U.S. Census Pulse Survey reveals that close to half a million Washington residents experienced pressure to move between May and October 2023 because of rising rents — with nearly 60 percent displaced due to these increases.

Sunny Wonder, deputy director of Council for the Homeless, said there aren’t enough resources to meet the need in our community.

“We’ve all gone through personal crises, and it hasn’t ended in homelessness, while other people are not able to sustain in the midst of that crisis,” Wonder said.

Day by day

The left side of the duplex was home to a husband, wife and four children who were evicted in early February.

Aware of their plight, Zazueta bought her neighbors pizza as they prepared to move.

The family of six and their dog lived in their car for a few days. The children had to get ready for school in gas station restrooms. The parents applied for housing assistance but are waiting for a call back.

“We’re just living day by day,” said the mother, who declined to be named in this story to protect her children’s identities.

She said paying for everyday necessities, such as formula for her newborn, is about the same price as getting a motel room for the night.

“We’re just trying to get money to not be in the car and keep a roof over our kids’ heads,” she said.

‘Surviving through love’

In late January, Zazueta and her eldest child traveled to Olympia with other housing advocates to testify in support of rent stabilization.

On Monday, that legislation — House Bill 2114 — died. It would have capped rent increases at 7 percent. Opponents argued it would have led to a decline in available rental units.

“It’s just a spit in the face, a punch to the stomach. What more can we give you?” Zazueta said. “They only care about their families, but what about my family? It makes us feel like we don’t matter.”

She said her family’s mental health has suffered from the stress of trying to hang on to their home. To keep her spirits up, Zazueta fills her home with inspirational signs. One declares, “Choose to be great!”

More than anything, she wants her children to have a better future.

“We’re surviving through love,” she said. “Our kiddos don’t deserve this kind of life. We don’t deserve this kind of life.”