Part 5/8:
The plight of Mr. Lou is echoed by numerous families in Shaman, trapped in a cycle of debt with mounting bills and stagnant incomes. A female vlogger recounts the pressure of impending mortgage default as her husband, who hasn’t been paid in three months, grappled with their financial viability. They, too, bought into the dream during the housing boom but now find themselves in an inescapable morass of debt.
The emotional toll is palpable, affecting familial bonds and degrading the quality of life. What was once a vibrant community has devolved into a desolate landscape where many businesses are shuttered, and streets that should be bustling now lie empty.