Housing is affordable when a household pays no more than 30% of the household’s gross income for rent and utilities. A household experiences housing distress when more than 35% of the gross household income is spent on housing costs. 

• According to the 2005-2009 (5-year Estimate) American Community Survey, over 50,000 renter households are paying more than 30% of their household income for housing costs (rent and utilities); this is an increase of over 21,000 households since the 2000 census.
• Since 2000, renter households in housing distress have increased by 70% in Pierce County. 

Pierce County has a higher percentage of renters experiencing housing distress when compared to the state as a whole, and a comparable percentage of renters experiencing housing distress when considering urban counties like ours.