ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tawana Jackson has been living without a home for the last eight months, a situation that she describes as the toughest experience of her life.

“It's almost a year,” she said. “It's a long time for people to be without their stuff."

Tawana fights back tears as she looks at her storage unit filled with her possessions. “I just want my own place. I’ve never been through this before,” she said.

While she is at the top of the waitlist for one property, Tawana believes her chances of getting it are slim. “Nobody is going to move when their rent is affordable for them,” she added. “I don't know how long I’m going to be number one on that wait list."

After several extensions, Tawana says her housing voucher has now expired, and unaffordable rent prices and application fees have become major obstacles in her search for housing.

In Florida, landlords are not limited by the state in the amount they can charge for application fees, but they are advised to charge no more than the average out-of-pocket expense. RentPrep.com reports that most application fees fall between $30-$80.

For Tawana, however, the fees keep adding up, and she has spent thousands of dollars on a fee that is not refundable and does not guarantee housing.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant for years, Tawana now lives on a fixed income while collecting disability. She has been sleeping on friends' and relatives' couches and even in her car.

“I haven’t been without my own place since I was 20 years old — I’m 51 now,” she said.

Tawana says the longer she goes without a home, the more the costs of gas, storage, and administrative fees add up. “I need my own space and environment to thrive in,” she added.

Despite the discouraging process, Tawana still believes that a roof over her head and the quality of life she desires are attainable.