Leigh and her husband are a hardworking couple. She works as a personal support worker at a long term care home, and he is an industrial welder. Despite their full-time jobs, they are barely able to provide for their blended family of six children, plus two that they have taken in after the untimely death of Leigh’s best friend.

Finding a safe, suitable, and affordable home for their family was no easy feat. Eventually, the family had to leave Stratford to locate such a space to rent. They have been able to manage for the last number of years despite the daily commute required to get to their jobs in Stratford. However things have changed. Their landlord has family that wants to move into the home, so Leigh had to find a new place. At current rates, the rent of their new space is 250% more than what they were paying, and even with much searching they still couldn’t find anywhere in Stratford, so they’ll have to continue commuting.

The dual income that supported their family mere months prior was now insufficient, plus Leigh had to struggle to find first and last month’s rent to secure their new home. For Leigh, the high cost of rent would be comparable to a mortgage payment, but to save enough for the downpayment required to qualify would be an impossible feat.

Leigh believes that people need life preservers, now more than ever. “We are climbing over each other instead of helping each other, and everyone feels like they’re sinking.” She feels like they are falling through the cracks and “for those that are hard-working and are trying, but just can’t make ends meet, we just need a little leeway.”

Recognizing the struggles of hardworking people like Leigh and her husband is essential. Our community needs their skills, and they need to support their family in a safe, suitable, and stable space to call home. Everyone deserves that.