Affordable housing is housing for an individual or family that costs less than 30% of their gross annual income. If housing costs, such as a mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, or rent exceed 30%, it is considered a cost burden. Households facing this burden are challenged to afford food, clothing, transportation, child care, education, medical costs, and other needs. Because housing and transportation costs are intertwined, groups like the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) advocate that both be considered as part of any understanding of affordable housing costs. When considering housing and transportation costs together, the income target increases to 45% of gross annual income. For example, suburban housing may cost less in a rent or a mortgage payment, but when combined with car insurance, maintenance, and gas costs for a year, may exceed the cost of higher rent or a mortgage that locates a family closer to work, school and basic services such as grocery stores. According to the CNT’s Housing + Transportation index, only 31.2% of Washtenaw County’s residents pay less than 45% of their income on housing and transportation, with more than two-thirds of county residents spending more than 45% of their monthly income on housing and transportation combined.