NH renters may lose their homes as fast as home owners

WASHINGTON—New Hampshire residents who pay their rents on time are losing their homes as fast or faster than homeowners who default on mortgages.

A National Low Income Housing Coalition report examines New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, which have large numbers of two- and three-family homes and apartments.

The NLIH estimates at least 45 percent of the housing units in the final stage of foreclosure in those four states were occupied by renters whose landlords were behind on mortgage payments.

A recent report by the New Hampshire Housing and Finance Authority says more than 18,000 New Hampshire residents' mortgages were listed as delinquent by the end of March.