Austin, Texas – A teacher in Austin has resorted to sleeping in his car for over a month due to financial difficulties and is now seeking help through a GoFundMe campaign to secure housing.
Bill Atkinson, a fourth-grade teacher, revealed his challenging living situation to KVUE, showing how he has been living out of his car, surrounded by his belongings and laundry, without air conditioning.
“I park at my school, in a spot where there aren’t many parents around,” Atkinson shared. “I’m trying to avoid drawing attention.”
Despite working additional side jobs, Atkinson’s student loan debt and other financial obligations have made it impossible for him to afford stable housing. Although his income is too high for subsidized housing, it isn’t enough to meet the high cost of rent in Austin.
“I can’t even get approved for apartments I can afford because of my credit,” Atkinson said. “And I make too much to qualify for income-based housing.”
In Austin, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the median income for a single person at $88,200 annually. To qualify for Section 8 housing, a household’s income must not exceed 50% of this median, which equates to $44,100. Atkinson’s teacher salary of approximately $53,000 disqualifies him from such assistance.
As of August, Zillow reports that the average rent in Austin is $1,436.
“I can tell you that many of our educators are living…,” Atkinson said, his voice trailing off, highlighting the financial strains many teachers face.
