News

Thousands of New Hampshire residents are struggling to find affordable and inviting housing in their communities. This program, in partnership with NHPBS explores the process that takes place in New Hampshire cities looking to create the new housing units our state needs to help solve the housing crisis.

Episode 1 “Cities” can be streamed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpCPcAQs-9c&t=20s

Episode 2 “Towns” can be streamed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6kEwuDMSWY&t=4s

Join Stephanie N. Verdile, Principal Planner at the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) and C. Christine Johnston, Attorney at Drummond Woodsum Attorneys at Law, for an overview and introduction to the regulation amendment process for zoning and historic ordinances as well as building and fire codes. Stephanie and Christine will also offer best practices and tips for board members and planning staff on how to prepare and get through the amendment process.

From NHPR – New Hampshire Housing and the New Hampshire Association of Realtors recently released a pair of reports to validate your frustration.
The latest Residential Rental Cost Survey Report from New Hampshire Housing shows the vacancy rate for rental units remains near a historic low, with less than one percent of units open. A more balanced market, according to New Hampshire Housing, would see a vacancy rate of 5% for renters and landlords — but that hasn’t been the case for more than a decade.

From The Union Leader – Rents for a two-bedroom apartment surged 11.4% statewide in the past year to $1,764 a month, with few units on the market. Grafton and Hillsborough counties faced the state’s highest median rents, surpassing $2,000 a month and requiring more than $80,000 in annual income to afford a two-bedroom unit, according to a report from New Hampshire Housing released Wednesday. The statewide median household income for a renter in New Hampshire is estimated at $51,432 — enough to afford only 7% of all two-bedroom apartments, the report said. Only 6% of such apartments were affordable in Hillsborough County for those making the county’s median renter income of $55,538. “It’s startling,” Ben Frost, New Hampshire Housing’s deputy executive director and chief legal officer, said by phone Wednesday. “There’s so little housing that is affordable to renters.”

The NH Housing Toolbox is a collection of twenty planning and zoning strategies for housing production in New Hampshire communities. In June, you can attend an upcoming series of virtual training sessions to learn more about the toolbox and do a deep-dive on specific tools. Sign Up!

“Rental costs in New Hampshire have shot up over the past decade, as the supply of available housing has tightened. Last year, less than 1% of apartments were open at any given time — well below the 5% vacancy rate that experts consider a balanced market, according to New Hampshire Housing.”


“The state’s largest developer of workforce housing said incentives and restrictions are necessary to convince officials in many cities and towns to allow it.”

“The New Hampshire Zoning Atlas, which launched Wednesday, is a sweeping new online program that allows users to look up zoning restrictions in their town and compare them to neighboring towns.”

From our friends at 603 Forward, “The future of our communities + economy depend on NH lawmakers taking immediate action to build more housing.For the sake of NH families, workers + young people, show state lawmakers that you demand action by sending a 1-click email now.”

The Upper Valley of NH continuing to do its part to create more affordable housing, including the creation of “The Upper Valley Fund”. Great article by Judi Currie.

Comment from Senator Becky Whitley and Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, who are the prime sponsor of SB 145. “According to New Hampshire housing experts, the largest factor driving the housing shortage is local land use regulations—zoning policies that make building homes exceedingly difficult across the state. That’s why the Housing Champions Program introduced in Senate Bill 145 is so critical. We need to incentivize New Hampshire communities to support a growing housing inventory, attract and retain more workers, and fortify the state’s economic advantage.”

TWENTY FOUR% rent increase in NH since last year. Leads the nation. This is NOT sustainable

It’s not just the cost of and lack of available housing. The social and economic consequences are many. NH Fiscal Policy Institute overview details effects of persistent shortage

Yes they are “tiny” but they are built as real homes, more like cottages than homes on wheels. John and Maggie Randolph’s new development.