Have you had trouble keeping up with rent and household expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic? We want to hear your stories.

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We’re reporters covering economic inequality in California for CalMatters, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics. We partner with more than 180 newsrooms across the state, so you may have seen our stories in your local newspaper.

These are not normal times. Across the state, peoples lives and finances have been thrown upside down by COVID-19. But even before this, many people were liking on the brink of not being able to pay for basic needs.

We want to talk to people who were already trying to keep up with rising rents and household expenses in the state before the pandemic hit. Do you feel like you’re one medical expense, car breakdown or change in your work schedule away from no longer being able to cover your basic expenses? How has the pandemic affected your life?

If you’d like to share your story, answer the questions below and we will follow up with you. Or reach out to CalMatters economic inequality reporters Jackie Botts at jackie@calmatters.org or 650.272.0129 and Nigel Duara at nigel@calmatters.org or 323.364.9691. You can also send us information about anything else you think we should be paying attention to.

You might also find interesting our previous reporting on homelessness, affordable housing, dental care, food stamps, the criminal justice system and much more. You can find it here: calmatters.org/california-divide

Many thanks,

Jackie and Nigel

A NOTE ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY: We appreciate you sharing your story and we take your privacy seriously. CalMatters is gathering this information for our reporting, and will not publish it without your permission.

Your name *

Your email *

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How close did you feel to the brink financially before the pandemic?

Over the brink: I couldn't keep up with expenses

Very close: I felt like I was one expense away

Somewhat close: I was stable, but concerned

Not close: I was confident I could weather financial change

Clear selection

Since the pandemic, how close do you feel to the brink financially?

Over the brink: I can't keep up with expenses

Very close: I feel like I'm one expense away

Somewhat close: I'm stable, but concerned

Not close: I'm confident I can weather financial change

Clear selection

Did you (or the principle earner in your household) lose your job or lose more than one-quarter of your hours during the pandemic?

Yes, I lost my job

No, I kept my job but lost more than one-quarter of my hours

No, I kept my job and more than three-quarters of my pre-pandemic hours

Clear selection

What city and county do you live in?

Tell us about your household. Do you live alone, or do you live with other people?

Did anyone in your household contract COVID-19?

Yes

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Tell us a bit about your economic situation right now.

Have you had to file for benefits (unemployment, food assistance) for the first time? If so, tell us about the experience.

If you lost your job during the pandemic, do you expect to go back to your old job?

Have you taken on new debt during the pandemic, for example, through loans or credit cards? Please explain.

If you've been unable to pay rent, do you expect to be able to pay it when the eviction moratorium ends?

I've stayed current on rent

I'm behind on rent, but I'll be able to pay it back when the eviction moratorium ends

I'm behind on rent and I won't be able to pay it back when the eviction moratorium ends

Clear selection

What’s something you’d want to tell California lawmakers if you had the chance?

Is there anything else we should know?

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