Rent expenses too much for many in St. Petersburg, even those with higher degrees struggling under heightened costs

In a nation as diverse as the United States, individuals from a vast variety of unique backgrounds cohabitate side by side. Different ethnic and racial groups, sexual orientations and gender minorities, and differing religious populations bring forth a vibrant multiculturalism that is so heavily prevalent in the United States, and especially so in Florida.

As prices increase, as has been seen nationwide over the last several years, many struggle under the weight of these price hikes. Rent is often a large portion of someone’s monthly expenses, as many in the local community we spoke with can attest to. Salary ranges often depend on a variety of factors, very often with education level being a prevalent item on that list.

Many with degrees after high school experience the growing pains that student debt accrues, and the stress that college elicits is often immense. The goal for many when they finish their bachelors is to enter the workforce, but some choose to continue on to pursue higher degrees with a more specialized program.

Jazmine Bryant, pictured below, a 32 year old woman of color, pursued a masters in the field of exceptional student education as a stepping stone on her climb involving a career in applied behavior analysis. Working with autistic children has long been an aspiration, largely related in root to her relationship with her brother, 25, who is on the autism spectrum.

Life having never been easy for herself and her brother, Jazmine experienced many challenges that were part of her unique background. Adopted by a foster family at a young age, she rose through adversity from a tumultuous upbringing. Systemic issues with her family dynamic affected her deeply, and overcoming these challenges has been one of Jazmine’s largest accomplishments.

Rent and cost of living expenses in recent years are two of Jazmine’s most recent stressors, and the growing pains the housing market has experienced in St. Petersburg has put a large strain on her, as well as much of her friend group. The housing market has been particularly challenging for many renters, with difficulties finding affordable housing listed as one of the top challenges by those spoken to for this blog.

As stated by Jazmine in our interview, “spending half of my income on rent wasn’t and still isn’t feasible”. Pursuing her degree and juggling a career has been challenging, and relying on friends and her partner has been instrumental in her recent bid for stability. Currently living with her boyfriend, she highlighted how living alone wasn’t a viable option, as has been the case for many she is in contact with. According to Census.gov, the average household in St. Petersburg has roughly 2.3 people, stipulating the reality for most in the city as being a multi-person household.

When looking for her last apartment, Jazmine has frustrated with how unstable the housing market has become. Looking for what seemed like forever, she saw many scam listings across the online marketplace that made looking for a home at times dangerous. Many listings had unseemly requirements, often relating to sexual favors and forced relationships. Jazmine found this demoralizing. As stated by herself “the fact that someone could do that to another in this housing crisis made the situation even more depressing.”

Jazmine emphasized that splitting rent between multiple people was the only way herself and many she knows can afford rent, and as rent has risen in the last several years, renters are having to shell out more and more to pay for a home in this increasingly unstable housing market. Her recent experiences with roommates were uncomfortable, and an inequitable household dynamic made her last several homes exhausting to navigate.

Jazmine is just one of many at the local scene who are struggling to pull their own weight as the cost of living rises across the region. Tensions are high for many in the rental and home buyer market, and even those with degrees like Jazmine are experiencing great difficulties to cope with these costs in a price range they can afford.

Jazmine luckily has the support of her significant other who she is currently living with, but many are not so lucky. Living alone has become increasingly rare, and being able to afford a home by one’s self is unobtainable for a large percentage of the local population. Where the rent crisis will go from here is unclear, but what is evident is that many are struggling, and even those with higher degrees and job prospects are floundering under the weight of a rising cost of living.