40% of Connecticut families struggle to meet basic needs due the significant gap between the federal poverty threshold of $30,000 and the estimated $126,000 needed for essential living expenses for a family of four in our state.
In October 2023, 58% of households in Connecticut that fell below the Household Survival Budget Threshold found it challenging to pay for basic necessities like food, rent or, car payments, and medical expenses. This percentage increased from 50% in August 2020.
Connecticut has the highest child care costs in the US, making it hard for parents to work. The average cost is $27,125 per year, almost $10,000 more than the national average of $18,886.
Financial stress has a well-known adverse effect on mental health. causing more feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge almost day, leading to our mental health crisis.
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HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?
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Battling Crisis after Crisis
Intentional communities can lead us towards a healthier and happier lifestyle amidst the pressing need for significant change. However, without addressing issues such as the unequal of unpaid household work, lack of support for time-constrained working families, and gender pay gap, future generations will continue to face struggles Problems like homelessness, mental health, and have been persistent for decades and continue to escalate, creating a complex7 of challenges.
