Housing cost and housing quality were common topics discussed at community forums throughout the city during the CHNAA data collection process. Residents expressed that housing cost is high, housing stock is old, and landlords delay repairs. These issues also appeared as resident concerns in results from the 2019 Trenton Health Survey.
Key Facts
- When asked which social conditions most negatively affect their health, 28.5% of respondents noted unstable or costly housing and 30% noted bad/unsafe housing. These were the second and third most cited social conditions that negatively affect health.
- Tenants in Trenton experience issues including plumbing and heating systems that do not work, poorly maintained paint and flooring, water damage and mold, insect and rodent infestation, and general building disrepair. All these issues can have a negative impact on residents’ well-being in terms of both the stress caused by living in such environments and the health concerns they can trigger, like asthma and lead poisoning.
- As of Summer 2018, there were 3,423 vacant buildings and 2,633 vacant lots in Trenton, or 20% of the total.
Related Data
Most Trenton residents – nearly 63% -- rent their homes. This in stark contrast to rental rates in Mercer County (35.8%) and New Jersey (35.9%). The average rent in Trenton was $995 in 2013-2017. While this is lower than the county and state average rents ($1,191 and $1,249, respectively), 60% of Trenton renters contribute 30% or more of their total household income to rent. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends no more than 30% of household income be spent on housing. Spending more than 30% on rent limits income for other expenses such as transportation, food, health care, and savings.
Unable to display time series chart due to lack of valid data for the specified configuration.
Unable to display time series chart due to lack of valid data for the specified configuration.