It's close quarters for Danielle Champion and her family.
"There are some days there are some fighting," says Champion, while laughing.
The blended family of ten is making the best of a crowded situation, paying rent to live in her parent's Michigan Center basement.
"I don't know what privacy is! I've never had my own room," says Danielle's 15-year-old daughter Cassie.
They've been on the hunt for affordable housing, but it has been hard to find a big enough space that is budget friendly.
After losing her home during the financial crash in 2009 and getting remarried almost one year ago, Danielle and her family have been doing the best they can.
She works from home and her husband just lost his job this month.
"Just getting our life reorganized," says Champion.
Danielle says the family is often turned away by landlords because they have so many people to house.
Local lawyer Steve Sinas says that is generally within a landlord's right.
"They can not be discriminated based on the status of their family," says Sinas, a partner at Sinas Dramis Law Firm, "however landlords have a right to make sure that, that their housing is habitable and safe, so they can limit the number of tenants."
The family isn't alone in their struggle.
The state tells me there is a big demand for affordable housing, but the supply just doesn't match it.
"Not surprisingly, there is a short fall in the supply versus the demand," says Andy Martin the Director of Development for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
MSHDA says one of the big problems is rent overburden.
"Over 50% are paying more than 30% of their income towards rent which is a big number when you break it down to folks that aren't making very much money," says Martin.
They have a number of programs in place designed to get people in a quality home.
Last year, the "Own Mi Home" program helped over 1,800 Michigan families.
"That helps folks that you know maybe have enough money to pay the monthly mortgage payment," says Martin, "but maybe haven't been able to save up to help towards the down payment."
In the meantime, Danielle says the family will continue to save money and keep searching, happy to have a roof over their heads right now.
"We make this our home," says Danielle.
Martin suggest her family and others like it apply for the Own Mi Home program.
For more information on other programs to help families and individuals, click here.
