Preview:
Sharena Zayed and her siblings grew up on Cleveland’s East Side in a multi-generational household without a working shower or, at times, hot water.
Their living conditions improved in the late 1990s, when Zayed’s mother obtained a housing choice voucher through a federal program that covers the gap between what a tenant can afford and what a private landlord requires. Still, home never felt like a permanent address.
“It was always dependent on the temperament or stability of the landlord,” said Zayed, a 38-year-old neighborhood organizer. “And it just got worse and worse as time went on.”
When her mother died in early 2022, Zayed’s...
Read MoreOur thoughts on this story:

I’m always confused on these articles. The family in the article earns over $80,000 per year. They pay maybe $10,000 in income tax. The kids to go public school. I’m sure the woman’s job includes health insurance. How can they not afford the $2,000 per month rent? Have you ever wondered why the numbers in these stories don’t add up? I guarantee that if you actually tracked their spending on a given month, there’s much more to the story than what’s revealed. But let’s assume for a minute that they really can’t make it happen on $80,000 in the city. Then move 1-hour out of the city to a small town and housing would be cut in half. In addition, they would have a more family-centered environment and probably be much happier. When you remain status quo and whine about it rather than make a move and better your position, it drives me nuts.