b'Renters Spending 30% or More of Income on Rent and Utilities60 %4.4 Housing Affordability 50Renters Percent of Improve the availability of affordable housing for renters 40and homeowners30Why is this important? Housing is an important environmental determinant of health, because safe and stable shelter is a fundamental human need. Families who20pay more than 30% of their income61for housing typically have less money left over10for other necessities such as health care, nutritious food and health insurance and can thus be at risk for poor health outcomes, with children being especially vulnerable. 02005 2006 2007 2008Where we stand now:Almost half of all renters and more than one-third ofCheshire CountyNew HampshireUnited StatesTargethomeowners spend more than 30% of their household income for housing costs. Cheshire County residents fare slightly better than all of New Hampshire and the nation, although the proportion of renter spending has increased here in the past few years.Home Owners Spending 30% Cheshire Countys goal: No more than 30% of the populationor More of Income on Housingwill spend more than 30% of their income on housing.62 50 %40Home Owners Percent of 30201002005 2006 2007 2008Cheshire CountyNew HampshireUnited StatesTarget40 Engaging Our Community In Health88222_CMC2.indd 42 2/1/10 12:27 PM'