HOUSING IN NH
We Need Action
With a housing deficit of over 23,000 units and a vacancy rate of less than 1%, the Granite State is grappling with a significant shortage of housing.
This scarcity is not only a concern for homeowners and renters, but also for business owners and the broader community. In particular, this situation is placing a heavy burden on young folks in New Hampshire and is having a profound impact on the state's workforce.
Key Facts
The 2024 - 2025 state budget does take some meaningful new steps to alleviate the housing crisis with $50 million in funding for affordable housing initiatives and establishes a new incentive-based "Housing Champion" program for municipalities to request funds to increase housing development in their communities.
Young leaders in the House and Senate led the charge to secure these wins. But increased funding for programs like “Housing Champions” is needed to make housing for all Granite Staters a reality.
New Hampshire is facing a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply & driving up prices.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the housing crisis in NH, with more people moving to the state & working remotely, increasing demand for housing.
The state has a high cost of living, which can make it difficult for low- & middle-income families to afford housing.
Homelessness is a growing problem in NH, with an estimated 1,400 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
HOW'D WE GET HERE?
Several factors have contributed to our current situation in New Hampshire. Firstly, our state is known for having some of the most rigid land use and zoning regulations in the country. These regulations often make it challenging to build new housing units or redevelop existing properties to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. Moreover, local opposition to development can pose a significant obstacle to progress. This opposition is commonly referred to as NIMBYism, which stands for "Not In My Backyard." NIMBYism is an attitude held by residents who object to certain types of development, such as affordable and multifamily housing, because they don't want them in their neighborhoods. These factors make it difficult for developers to build new housing, and contribute to the state's housing crisis by limiting the supply of new housing development & driving up prices.
Tops For Talking With Your Networks
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Share your story.
Be personal, often the most compelling testimonies share personal stories & experiences. Talk about how much you pay for rent, what percentage of your income goes to rent, etc.
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Talk about solutions.
The solution to NH's 23,000+ unit deficit of housing begins with each one of us taking action!
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Share resources.
You don't have to be an expert on everything, so if someone asks a question, share a resource like 603 Forward or The Forward Foundation to help address their question or concern.
Host a Connect + Conquer Community Meetup! Urge your elected officials to support pro- housing policies + show up to support local housing projects. Share your housing story! Follow @603Forward + @FWDFoundationNH on social media to help amplify!
