Jon Paul: State and nation face fast-approaching cliff from budget cuts

To The Daily Sun,

I see some storm clouds gathering in the distance for this winter. I think we can all agree that there is a housing crisis in our state and country. Currently, New Hampshire is the 8th most expensive state to live in. Only 24% of apartments in the state are considered affordable.

In the six months since Donald Trump took office, rent prices have gone up 4% in NH to an average of $1,870 a month. Before Trump took office, he said he was going to lower mortgage rates to below 3% to help with the housing crisis. Currently, a 30-year fixed mortgage is stuck at 6.7%. The upcoming federal budget has reduced rental assistance to lower income families by 43%. I don’t see how that helps with the housing crisis. The math only leads to one outcome, misery.

Food pantries in NH are reporting a 20%-40% increase in the number of clients seeking food assistance compared to last year. In January, the federal assistance for food insecurity (SNAP) will be further cut by 25%. It's safe to say that the result will be higher demand for emergency food and housing assistance seen at the local level.

How is our state and country preparing for this? They’re not. It's far easier to turn a blind eye than it is to see the need all around us and the fast approaching cliff. There are going to be preventable deaths that will occur due to the callousness of this budget. Shame on Congress and the president.

Jon Paul

Alton