To understand how easily a single debt can upend someone’s life, consider this story: Pam has a job in Tennessee that pays double the minimum wage, but years ago, she had a medical bill that she was unable to pay. Eventually she was sued for that debt, but she missed her court date because she was at work. And because she was a no-show, the judge had no choice but to issue a default judgment against her and side with the debt collector.
In order to thrive, city residents—foreign-born and U.S.-born alike—need safe neighborhoods with accessible amenities, strong social networks, and sufficient economic opportunities.1 Are parks, schools, and libraries nearby?
In this episode, we hear from Montana state lawmakers Daniel and Katie Zolnikov about the bipartisan legislation they championed to address rising concerns about access to housing. And Indigenous advocates in Montana, Jody Cahoon Perez, Tonya Plummer, and Patrick Yawakie, discuss how they’re helping their Tribal communities seek more affordable and culturally appropriate housing.
