Some Latinx families fearful as cost of living rises, making many lower income families worried about their financial future

For many individuals nationwide that find themselves born in to circumstances of less privilege, claiming a piece of the pie in modern America is exponentially more difficult for them than for groups which experience more privilege. Those born in to families that lack financial means are often systematically left behind in a game that largely takes capital to build one’s own stable lives in.

A large number of hurdles exist for those who do not have backgrounds in affluent households, and many of these hurdles prevent financial successes that lead to home ownership and higher paying jobs. These hurdles are especially trying in regions where cost of living is more expensive, and many in the local region surrounding St. Petersburg are feeling the burn of the heat of this current higher cost of living.

Systemic injustice has created a wealth gap that affects a high population of Americans nationwide, and those living at the median income of our society, or those below, feel the full weight of this injustice.

Luis Dominguez, 22, using a pseudonym first name for the purpose of our interview, has experience the trying nature of being a man of color living is modern Florida. Hailing from Puerto Rican heritage and immigrating to the mainland United States when he was young, his family has always struggled to make ends meet for much of his physical life. Living with less was typical in his family’s original city, but living in St. Petersburg has given him a glimpse of what those living with more seem like and how their lives are structured so differently than his own.

As is the case for many Latinx families in the United States, his household is a multi-generational home. His parents, two grandparents, and two younger sisters live with him in their home located in Kenneth city, in a neighborhood that is predominantly Latinx and mostly lower income. Growing up, he was always used to having less amenities, but Luis and his family have always experiences a type of peace involving their financial status.

Recently however, his family has fallen on hard times as cost of living and rent has increased, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. His family’s home was rented, as is true for most of his social circle, and recently have experienced much tension with the person who owns his property, as well as several others.

As is the case for many across St. Petersburg and its surrounding cities of southern Pinellas county, rent has been rising for most in his neighborhood by uncomfortable margins. Their lease recently expired several months prior to this interview, and their house’s rent has increased by $400 a month, a sum that is a significant burden to his already struggling family. Much of the recent cost of living’s raises have fallen on himself and his parents, having two grandparents who are too old to work and two sisters who are still in middle and high school.

Luis works in the service industry waiting tables at a restaurant and relies heavily on tips, given that his hourly income is quite low, a reality that is the case for many tipped employees. His salary has become much more sporadic in the last two years, largely due to the pandemic lowering his weekly tip income and making it less consistent than it already was.

Some tipped employees spoken to have shared their struggles with depressed wages, affecting many in the service industry, and others such as hairstylists. Luis, who’s income goes towards a multi-generational family, dedicates much of his income to providing for his family, as is the case for many of his friends who are also Latinx. Given the depressed wages, he has expressed fear at what would happen to him and his family if cost of living rises any higher.

 Gas prices have steeply raised over the last two years, with some possible help coming from elected officials towards lessening this burden of higher gas prices. Will this be enough to lessen a burden that is compounded by heightened rent and food expenditures? That is yet to be seen.

The reality for Luis and his family is a similar one for many working class families across the state. With wages remaining stagnant for a large number of citizens, and with the household median income in St. Petersburg being $56,982, many below this line struggle to put food on the table while still accounting for the steep raises in rent many across the county have seen.

How Luis and his family will fare if this situation heats up any further depends on much uncertainty, but the current trajectory of the financial status for many families like his have left himself and his family of seven deeply concerned for what the future may bring.

Many across the county are fearful as their financial status become less stable, and this situation has exponentially affected lower income families of color like the Dominguezes. Elected officials have debated steps that can be taken to alleviate the suffering for thousands in the region, but will it be too little too late once the money runs out and many families such as this fear absolute financial ruin.