As the coordinator for our tax clinic, I heard many stories from people coming to us this year. What we saw this season is that a tax refund isn’t just extra money. It’s essential. People receiving refunds were planning to use the money to catch up on bills or rent.
 
It is heartbreaking to hear how hard people are working just to stay in the towns they love. One filer told me that they had to work multiple jobs and they still could not get ahead because they ended up owing taxes. In our region, the cost of living keeps climbing, leaving too many people to decide between paying rent on time or buying groceries.
 
In the Monadnock region, rents and housing costs have risen, but wages haven't kept up. Right now, more than half of local renters are spending over 30% of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. Making it even more difficult is the lack of available housing. In New Hampshire, the vacancy rate is as low as 1%.
 
When we help a family get their full refund, which was an average of $1,800 this year, their options change. That amount may not seem like much, but it is a lifeline to so many of our families. It means fixing the car they need to get to work or making sure they aren't evicted.
 
One senior told me they had to find a job again to add to their Social Security just so they can afford to pay their property tax bill. They’ve lived in homes they worked hard to buy and they deserve to stay there. The River Center helps by connecting them to resources that will lighten their loads, but it’s not an easy fix.
 
This isn’t just a housing issue. It’s a community problem. When our neighbors can't afford to live here, our local businesses struggle too because they can’t find workers. That affects our schools, our healthcare, and the services we all rely on. By helping individuals and families with their taxes, we’re doing more than just punching numbers into forms on the computer. We’re helping our neighbors find a bit of solid ground in a very unstable housing market. is why our work at The River Center matters in the shaky economic times that we are in.
 
How You Can Help
Our tax program is over for this year, but the need in our community is not. The individuals and families we saw this season are still figuring out how to make ends meet.
 
If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to be a part of solution, you can become a tax volunteer. No experience is required. You’ll get some training and be a part of a helpful team that supports each other every step of the way. If you’re more of a people person, you can volunteer as a tax greeter. Learn more about these roles on our website at www.rivercenternh.org.
 
You can also support The River Center by donating, attending a program, or volunteering in other ways. On May 23rd, we are holding our inaugural Ripples of Hope benefit at the Peterborough Town House. It will be an evening to celebrate the strength of our community and ensure that programs such as kinship navigation, family support, and tax preparation continue on for everyone who needs them.
 
Learn more at www.rivercenternh.org and www.ripplesofhopebenefit.org.