Desperate homeowners and renters say they're giving up food and even their pets to afford housing. What you can do if you’re squeezed

Jessica WongTue, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC

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A young man, holding onto his Siberian husky while on a walk, can be one of many Americans choosing to give up their pets in order to afford rent or mortgage.

A recent survey from Redfin (1) shows that 49% of U.S. residents struggle to afford their monthly rent or mortgage.

And for Gen Z, it’s a full-blown crunch with more than two-thirds (67%) saying they have difficulty keeping up with housing payments.

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For many Americans, managing their personal finances has gone beyond belt-tightening and into pure survival mode where people are sometimes sacrificing basic necessities to stay on track.

What Americans are giving up to keep a roof over their heads

Housing costs remain stubbornly high. Redfin reports that buyers now need to earn $111,000 a year to afford the typical U.S. home, roughly $25,000 more than the median household income (2).

Mortgage rates (3) have cooled slightly but were still historically elevated when the survey was conducted, in November 2025, as compared to 2022.

Redfin notes that compared to last spring, things have actually worsened. In a survey from May 2025, 44% of Americans said they struggled with housing payments. By November, that proportion climbed to nearly half.

According to a recent analysis by the National Association of Homebuilders (4), 65% of households across 39 states and the District of Columbia can’t afford the median-priced new home.

Young adults are getting hit the hardest. Only 27% of Gen Zers own a home, compared to more than half of millennials, and more than 70% of Gen Xers and baby boomers, according to the Redfin report.

Many younger workers have yet to hit their peak earning years and are still building savings, anxious about layoffs or a potential recession, but the result is a generation who are pushing back major milestones and in some cases, maybe even basic needs.

To make rent or cover the mortgage, Americans are making deeply personal trade-offs like cutting back on eating out, skipping vacations and working extra hours.

But the most shocking data from Redfin reveals how much further some are going:

15% say they’ve skipped meals entirely to afford housing.

14% have delayed seeking medical care.

4% have postponed having children.

4% have even given up pets.

Among Gen Zers specifically, 20% have sold belongings, 18% have taken on side hustles and 15% have moved back in with their parents.

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A recent survey by Unlock Technologies (5) highlights more cost-cutting behaviors homeowners are taking, including what they’d do to avoid another monthly payment:

19% would double their commute time.

16% would call an ex and ask them to dinner.

14% would wear the same underwear all month.

9% wouldn’t brush their teeth for a month.

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These findings come at a time when there is heated debate in Washington over whether an affordability crisis even exists.

During his recent State of the Union (6) address, President Donald Trump said that, “the roaring economy is roaring like never before,” and “Our country is winning again.”

Despite these encouraging sentiments, polling (7) continues to show Americans naming housing as a top financial stressor, with millions having to juggle the reality of paying bills and making tough choices just to get by.

What you can do if you’re squeezed

If your paycheck just doesn’t stretch far enough to cover the basics each month, you’re not alone. There isn’t a magic cure-all for high housing costs, but there are strategies to consider for creating some short-term breathing room:

Find a roommate. If you have the space, renting out a spare bedroom or even a basement suite can make a big dent in your monthly costs.

Take on a side hustle. Freelance work, delivery driving, tutoring or contract gigs can help plug shortfalls.

Sell unused items. Clearing out closets, garages or storage lockers can help generate quick cash through online marketplaces.

Talk to your lender. If you’re worried about missing a mortgage payment, contact your loan servicer before you fall behind. Many lenders offer temporary hardship programs that can reduce or pause payments for a period of time.

Review your insurance. Shop around for homeowners insurance and ask about discounts.

Local assistance programs. Some states and municipalities offer temporary mortgage relief or utility assistance programs for households facing hardship.

Trim nonessentials. Cancel underused subscriptions, negotiate internet or cellphone bills and take a look at your recurring expenses. Even small savings can add up when you’re trying to cover rent or a mortgage.

If you’re renting, negotiate lease renewals, consider relocating further away or explore local rental assistance programs.

Redfin’s report authors expect affordability to improve gradually over the coming year if mortgage rates settle closer to 6%, home-price growth slows and wages start to outpace housing costs.

But for now, for nearly half of Americans, and two-thirds of Gen Z, it continues to be a monthly scramble and sometimes, big sacrifices to keep the lights on.

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Article Sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

(1) Redfin; (2) Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; (3) YCharts; (4) National Association of Home Builders; (5) Unlock Technologies; (6) The White House; (7) The New York Times

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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Source: “AOL Money”