Working-class Latinos say they work harder than ever but keep falling behind

Most working-class Latinos feel stuck even though they put in long hours. A UnidosUS survey released Oct. 6 found that 68% believe they work harder than ever but lose ground and see the path upward as broken. Still 55% hold on to hope that their families can prosper.

A squeeze at the store and the pharmacy

The survey polled 2,700 working-class Latino adults between Aug. 28 and Sept. 17 with larger samples in Arizona and California and Florida and Texas. UnidosUS says working-class Hispanics make up 79% of the Latino electorate and about 38.5 million adults. Only 12% say they live comfortably and 61% say they just meet expenses or struggle to.

Cost of living is the top worry for 83% of respondents followed by jobs and wages and health care. Four in ten say they are worse off than a year ago compared with 14% who say they are better off. Among those losing ground 76% blame higher prices. To get by 43% have cut back on food or moved to cheaper groceries and 38% have drawn on savings. More than half have given up some health care because of cost.

Housing and enforcement

Housing eats up 30% or more of income for 53% of respondents and for 66% of renters. Sixty percent of renters worry about next month's rent. Of those who hope to buy a home 64% say prices are too high and 51% lack money for a down payment.

Immigration enforcement is also hitting budgets. Among Latino small business owners 60% say enforcement has damaged their business through lost customers or missing workers. Across all respondents 44% say worries about it cost their household money in the past year. UnidosUS president and CEO Janet Murguía said many families are eating less and skipping doctor visits to stay afloat.

Voters nobody has asked

With the midterms about four weeks off 55% say nobody from a party or campaign or group has urged them to register or vote. Only 23% have heard from Democrats and 15% from Republicans. Each proposal polled drew support from at least three-quarters of respondents. Paid family leave led at 86% followed by lower health insurance premiums at 84% and down payment help of up to $20,000 at 81%.