CHARLOTTE, NC — It's been three months since we last saw Robert and Natasha Tucker. They're now living with their children in a small apartment in west Charlotte. It's pretty bare, but still an upgrade from their SUV which had been their home for two and a half months.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ORGINAL STORY ON THE TUCKERS
Since then, some things have changed. Their young granddaughter is staying with them now - joining their two older children - and Robert has taken on a second job.
What hasn't changed is their financial struggle.
"It's a blessing because we need this to be stable," he explained.
"Once that $700 walks in the door, we are spent," he said.
Robert says even working 16 hours a day, it takes more than two weeks' pay to cover the rent: $890 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment.
"We're not living. We don't live. We pay the rent," said Natasha. "That's not living. "We're just paying rent so we're not on the street."
Experts consider housing to be affordable if it takes no more than 30 percent of a family's income. The Tuckers spend double or more that amount.
With all the other bills, they've come close to being evicted twice. The SUV they had been living in before finding housing was repossessed.
Now, Robert rides a bus for an hour each way to get to his first job. He spends $125 a month on bus fare. If there's a family emergency and they have to use Uber or Lyft, then the budget is shot.
"Just thank the good Lord that he keeps me healthy enough to keep doing what I gotta do until we get to that point where I don't have to do it as much," said Robert.
He and Natasha admit it's getting harder to keep this up. They say they want to make it on their own without asking for help.
The came to Charlotte 10 months ago with optimism. Now, they're among the many families being priced out.
"The ordeals that we've gone through in the little bit of time we've been here doesn't leave a sweet taste," said Natasha.