Austin Teacher Sleeps in Car, Strives to Fund Dream Home

AUSTIN, Texas — A local teacher is turning to crowdfunding as he struggles with housing insecurity, having been forced to sleep in his car for over a month. Bill Atkinson, who teaches fourth grade, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds aimed at securing a stable living situation.

Atkinson described his living conditions, showing how he manages to get by with minimal space. “This is as far as I can go, and I just kick my feet on the side of the pedals,” he revealed during an interview with KVUE. His vehicle is filled with laundry and personal belongings, offering little comfort due to a lack of air conditioning.

Parking near his school has become a strategic effort to maintain a semblance of normality. “I park in a position where I don’t get a lot of parents parking around my car,” he mentioned, navigating the realities of being both an educator and a member of the community facing housing challenges.

Financial burdens from student loans and other bills complicate his search for affordable housing, despite working additional jobs. “With apartment complexes now checking credit, I can’t get approved for places I can afford, even though my income is technically too high for income-based options,” Atkinson stated, shedding light on a difficult paradox faced by many educators.

According to HUD guidelines, qualifying for Section 8 housing requires that households’ incomes be at or below 50% of the area median income. In Austin, that figure translates to an annual income of $44,100 for a single person, significantly lower than Atkinson’s $53,000 salary.

The struggle to find affordable housing is exacerbated by escalating rental prices. As reported by Zillow, the average rent in Austin is currently $1,436, a challenging figure for many teachers. Ovidia Molina, president of the Texas State Teachers Association, echoed these concerns, noting that an increasing number of teachers are exiting the profession due to unsustainable wages.

“We have teachers that leave the profession because they’re going to make more money and be able to raise a family, to be able to purchase a home,” said Molina, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in compensation and housing accessibility for educators.

Atkinson is vocal about the necessity for change, advocating for increased wage limits on affordable housing options. “It’s particularly difficult for those who are just above the poverty line but still struggling,” he explained. He is also pushing for the unionization of teachers to advocate for better working conditions and pay.

Ultimately, Atkinson hopes to achieve his GoFundMe goal of $13,600 to eliminate his debt and escape his car, reaffirming his commitment to education. “Teaching is my calling, and I want to stick around,” he declared.