THE ISSUE
NH Affordable Housing
Thriving communities need affordable starter /downsize homes and rental options.
NH Affordable Housing: Action Items
By the year 2030, the state is expected to be 60,000 units short of our housing needs. For the recent college grad in my family - employed fulltime and motivated to launch on his own - affording rent for a one-bedroom or studio apartment near his job in Rochester is simply out of reach right now. Forget about investing in a starter home. If New Hampshire is going to thrive, we need to find creative ways to help our workforce live in the towns and cities where they work. Further, our seniors should be able to remain in the communities where they have built their lives. We owe them that much. We need solutions that prioritize building stronger communities with a variety of housing options.
Zoning & Regulatory Reform
Expanding programs like the Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) program helps local towns update master plans, reduce minimum lot sizes, and streamline approvals for accessory dwelling units and manufactured housing.
Adaptive Reuse and Building Conversions
Converting vacant commercial spaces, downtown upper floors, and abandoned buildings into residential units creates immediate housing inventory without sprawling new construction. (Source: PRO Housing
Additional Information from Phoebe & Resources on This Issue
Housing Action NH: 2026 State Legislative Preview
Blog and video: Hey, Phoebe - What are your three biggest priorities?
Candidate survey: Citizens Count Survey
Candidate survey: Ballotpedia
New Hampshire Bulletin: NH's sluggish housing growth is leading to longer commutes...