A new survey finds that many residents are covering their expenses without building financial security, leaving households vulnerable to even modest setbacks.

Nearly six in ten Chicago adults describe their financial circumstances as either just getting by or having difficulty getting by, according to a new survey released Wednesday. The ChicagoSpeaks Poll, commissioned by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that 43% of respondents were just getting by, while another 13% were finding it difficult to get by. Only 5% described themselves as thriving financially, and 29% reported being unable to pay some bills in full. Eunice Alpasan of WTTW News reported that social service organizations are seeing the consequences firsthand, from families seeking emergency rental assistance to workers juggling multiple jobs while struggling with food, housing and healthcare expenses. The survey included 1,108 Chicago adults interviewed September 13–23, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Among employed respondents, 19% considered losing their jobs within the next year very or fairly likely. Those findings describe an economy in which many people are managing their immediate expenses but have limited capacity to handle a financial emergency.

Housing costs are one of the mechanisms keeping households financially vulnerable. Peter Toepfer, president and CEO of All Chicago Making Homelessness History, told WTTW that the organization’s typical emergency assistance request is approximately $1,500, often to cover overdue rent and prevent eviction. The organization reports demand for help exceeding available resources, particularly in neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. When rent consumes a substantial portion of household income, residents have less flexibility to pay utilities, purchase food, obtain medication or build savings. A missed paycheck or unexpected bill can quickly become a housing crisis, shifting pressure onto nonprofit organizations and public assistance programs. The survey also found that approximately three in ten respondents had received Medicaid coverage during the previous year, while about one-quarter had received SNAP benefits, demonstrating how important public programs are to household finances. These figures do not establish that Chicago’s economy is contracting, nor do they show that every resident faces the same pressures. They reveal how limited financial reserves can leave households exposed even when they remain employed. Without improvements in housing affordability and the financial capacity of working households, Chicago’s social service organizations may face continued demand from residents whose earnings cover ordinary expenses but provide little protection against the next emergency.