In the 1950s, owning a home was the ultimate American Dream. If you got an education and worked hard, your reward would be homeownership, raising a family and building wealth for your future. But times have changed. The idea of personal success looks different today than it did in the 1950s. With rising living costs and changing priorities, safe and affordable housing is not a reward, it is a necessity. It’s not just about having a place to stay. A home is where you can raise your family and plan a future of your making.

In the early 2000s, the Great Recession slowed construction across the state. Tighter mortgage rules and high home prices made it harder for many to buy, so more people were forced to rent or seek housing alternatives such as renting. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with financial insecurity, renters were relieved when rent hikes were briefly slowed to 2% in 2021 to allow people to stay in their homes. By 2022, that number jumped to a staggering 16%, according to Zillow. Safe and stable housing became even more scarce for low- and moderate-income families.

Data compiled from the IRS by Hearst Newspapers last year showed that more than 16,000 people relocated to New Hampshire. Our state is consistently ranked No. 1 in economic opportunity by US News & World Report because of low unemployment, low taxes and high quality of life.

These factors have resulted in higher rents and long rental wait lists due to a 1% rental vacancy rate. Nearly half of renters in New Hampshire spend more than 30% of their income on housing. About one in four spend more than half. This is unsustainable for most low- and moderate-income households.

At The River Center, we are seeing the effects of the New Hampshire housing crisis. We’re getting calls from people needing more help to fill out rental applications. We are seeing an increase in people getting eviction notices due to rent increases, and we are helping people connect with their town’s welfare department. We take phone calls from residents—many in tears—saying, “I can’t afford this,” or “I might have to live in my car.”

This crisis has an effect on every part of a community. Housing that is affordable and stable supports a strong economy, better education and overall wellness of households and the communities in which they live. Without a safe place to call home, it’s harder to find work, access food or health care and keep children in school.

There are some resources available. Local nonprofits like Southwestern Community Services in Keene and the Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties help families find housing support. The N.H. Department of Health and Human Services also offers guidance. The River Center can help locate resources, while our volunteer money coaches can provide guidance and support in understanding your household finances so you can make more-informed decisions. This service is available to anyone, regardless of income level.

Other solutions include investing in affordable housing programs, addressing restrictive zoning laws and supporting new building strategies like accessory dwelling units, which allow homeowners to have smaller living spaces on their property without harming neighborhood character.

Local groups, like the Peterborough Affordable Housing Committee and the Eastern Monadnock Housing Security Coalition, are already working toward solutions. These resources and possible solutions need our support.

Housing is a basic right and a critical social determinant of health and well-being. Every person deserves a place to live that is safe, stable and affordable. It’s the foundation of financial wellness and a better quality of life. If we can commit to this together, New Hampshire can become a place where all families have a chance for stable financial futures starting with a place to call home.

For information on what we have to offer, visit rivercenternh.org or call us at 603-924-6800.

Nisa Simila is communications and money matters coordinator at The River Center Family and Community Resource Center in Peterborough.