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  • Comment Detail

  • Date: 07/31/23
    First Name: Jeremy
    Last Name: Lopez
    Email: info@schjn.com
    Organization Type: N/A
    Organization: SC Housing Justice Network

  • Comment

    Dear Dir. Thompson,

    My name is Jeremy Lopez and I am a full time bartender here in Charleston, SC. My current housing is not in terrible condition or anything, but I've watched rents rise and rise ever since I got out of college. Back in 2007, my roommate and I lived close to the Battery in Charleston, one of the most popular tourist attractions in my town, for $600. That's unheard of and probably close to 6-7 times that now.
    As a former property manager, I can tell you, the market has priced most working people out. Rent has already passed being more than 30% of people's income here. $1600-1800 will maybe get you an "affordable" place to live but probably just a one bedroom. And considering the minimum wage in SC is $7.25/hr, that's wild. I'm lucky with my current living situation because I have a roommate that charges me under market rate but my previous landlord was awful. Increased rent $100/month every year at minimum and never fixed anything at the place until we moved out and it was time for another tenant to move in.
    My dad bought a house in 1980 and it was $45,000. There's no way I could find a house like theirs anymore unless it's literally just the land. And even that price in Charleston, SC is hard to find! Working class folks use to be able to rent then buy a home, that's completely out of the question now.
    In addition to my personal experience, I've had to watch my girlfriend try to move and find new housing recently and that has been awful and stressful. She has no choice but to share apartments with others just to be able to have an affordable place to live even though she works just as hard as I do.
    Things have got to change. I know these tenant protections and rent cap won't affect everyone, but it's a good start! We need rent regulation, good cause eviction, and safe, habitable homes on these federally backed properties. The government can't sit aside and watch as working class people like myself continue to be pushed and pushed while we make this economy run.

    Thanks for your time

    Jeremy Lopez