Crossroads Urban Center is helping more Utahns — many of whom are seeking help with paying rent. The problem is, instead of needing a couple hundred bucks, they need $1,500, said Crossroads' Linda Hilton, director of the Coalition of Religious Communities, which advocates for the poor and social justice issues. Crossroads can't afford that.

"We just have to say, 'We are really, really sorry. We cannot help you,"' Hilton said. "It's frustrating."

The cost of everything has gone up, she said. "Housing prices have skyrocketed, wages are stagnant, people's hours and contracts have been cut back, health care is more expensive than ever, more people are uninsured than ever, so there you go."

Jeppson said he saved money for what he calls "old age." Now, he's living off of that money, and it's going fast. Credit cards are filling in gaps. Soon, he says, half-joking, he might have to stop eating.

"When that (savings) goes, there's just not going to be enough money," Jeppson said. As for making it, he said, "we're not, in some ways."

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