Summary
A growing number of Americans are seeking shelter in budget motels due to rising rents and home prices, with families experiencing cramped, unstable living conditions.
In New York’s Hudson Valley, over 550 families with children lived in motels in 2023, a 21% increase from 2018.
High costs, safety concerns, and limited housing options make escaping this cycle difficult.
Advocacy groups warn motels are an unsustainable solution as housing costs outpace wages, while waitlists for subsidized housing and vouchers remain long.
These are pretty crappy hotels most of the time. They’re has-been places that cater to the living-in-a-hotel poverty set. Rates are pretty low, and they’re generally not places you’d want to stay when vacationing or visiting an area.