2/20/26: Housing Matters Newsletter

Welcome back to our weekly newsletter!

It will be a little quieter up in Concord next week as the legislature takes its own short break during New Hampshire’s school vacation week. There are a few work sessions scheduled, but no housing-related public hearings or floor votes next week.

On Tuesday (2/17), the Senate Commerce Committee held its public hearing on HB 1196, which would repeal the Housing Champions Program.  We have already heard from Senators expressing their opposition to repealing the Housing Champions Program, but it’s important we don’t take anything for granted when it comes to important programs like this one.

Even though the public hearing has already happened, it’s still valuable to email the Senate Commerce Committee to explain why you support the Housing Champions Program and oppose efforts to repeal it. The key points are that the program is leading to more housing options and provides much-needed support for municipal infrastructure. You can read more about the program and our key talking points here.

Committee email addresses: Daniel.Innis@gc.nh.gov; Denise.Ricciardi@gc.nh.gov; Keith.Murphy@gc.nh.gov; Tim.McGough@gc.nh.gov; Donovan.Fenton@gc.nh.gov; Tara.Reardon@gc.nh.gov;Finally, thanks to all who joined our monthly Housing Matters Zoom meeting this morning. You can view the Office of Planning and Development slides here, and my legislative update slides here. You can read the full Department of Business and Economic Affairs Current Estimates and Trends in New Hampshire’s Housing Supply report here. It details positive trends in new permits while underscoring that New Hampshire continues to fall short of the permits needed to hit Statewide Housing Needs Assessment goals and that new construction is heavily concentrated in just a few communities.

As always, if you have questions about the legislation we mention in the newsletter or housing-related proposals that aren’t included, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to receive future updates, you can sign up here.

Best,

Nick Taylor

Executive Director

Housing Action NH

nick@housingactionnh.org

State House Updates:

In The Committee Room

* As a reminder, the legislative office building is closed for renovations. All House committee meetings will be held at 1 Granite Place (South Building), Concord, NH. You can find directions and general information here. *

House Housing Committee: Tuesday, February 24th, Granite Place, Room 231

Subcommittee Work Session: 2:00 PM – HB 1540, establishing uniform requirements for accessory dwelling units and providing municipalities with authority and guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections.

House Housing Committee: Tuesday, March 3rd, Granite Place, Room 231

All House policy committees must act on House Bills that are not in a second committee by Thursday, March 5th. On Tuesday, March 3rd, starting at 10:00 AM, the House Housing Committee will make recommendations on the following bills:

• HB 1005, repealing the commission to study the historical evolution of the New Hampshire zoning enabling act;
• HB 1007, relative to manufactured housing;
• HB 1021, amending the date to provide written notice to a municipality of a taxpayer’s election to be assessed under the low-income housing tax credit program;
• HB 1026, relative to the definition of manufactured housing;
• HB 1050, establishing the right to provide educational instruction in municipally zoned and non-zoned areas;
• HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures;
• HB 1103, allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures;
• HB 1112, relative to snow removal responsibilities in residential lease agreements;
• HB 1136, relative to accessory dwelling units;
• HB 1218, relative to the disclosure of rights and responsibilities during the sale of a mobile home in a mobile home park;
• HB 1251, relative to restricting municipal downzoning inconsistent with existing neighborhood density;
• HB 1295, relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects;
• HB 1336-FN, allowing exceptions to the cap on residential security deposits for applicants not meeting standard approval criteria;
• HB 1343, allowing remote and hybrid meetings for the governing body of the organization of unit owners;
• HB 1357, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the placement of newly constructed manufactured homes;
• HB 1375, prohibiting landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant every 12 months;
• HB 1432, relative to electric utility rate classification and cost allocation for condominium associations;
• HB 1450, relative to the designation and control of shared facilities in rental properties;
• HB 1517-FN, relative to certain residential property interests controlled by certain entities;
• HB 1540, establishing uniform requirements for accessory dwelling units and providing municipalities with authority and guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections;
• HB 1588-FN, establishing special assessment districts and expands the housing infrastructure grant program to allow for municipal upgrades linked to new housing and making an appropriation therefor;
• HB 1613-FN, directing the department of business and economic affairs to produce a report detailing methods to increase lending practices for housing developments that help persons with disabilities;
• HB 1619, relative to the rights of property owners and limitations on municipal land use regulation, and repealing the workforce housing program;
• HB 1654, requiring a property owner to pay all taxes or charges on their property prior to being issued certain building or occupancy permits;
• HB 1660, relative to municipal credit enhancement agreements and tax increment financing for priority housing development;
• HB 1681, relative to the definition, inspection, and local approval of tiny houses and yurts as innovative housing structures;
• HB 1709-FN, relative to prohibiting the rental of residential property to individuals unlawfully present in the United States;
• HB 1713, relative to zoning conformity and redevelopment standards;
• HB 1726-FN, directing state agencies to identify and dispose of surplus property for affordable housing development;
• HB 1764-FN, establishing community workforce housing targets, special assessment provisions, and a revolving loan fund for workforce housing development.

Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs: Tuesday, March 3rd, State House Room 122-123

9:30 AM – HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance.

• What It Does: This proposal allows municipalities to impose additional requirements, including proof-of-residency documentation, on individuals seeking public welfare assistance, including rental assistance.
• Why It Matters: Individuals who are unhoused or fleeing domestic violence situations may not have proof of residency documentation, which will leave them with limited options for additional assistance. If the intent of the legislation is to ensure that local tax dollars go to local residents, there is already a process for determining the town of origin.
• HANH Position: Oppose

State House Updates:

On The Floor

The House will not meet next week. The next session will be at the call of the Chair.

The Senate is scheduled to meet for session on Thursday, March 5th. The floor votes will be published in next week’s calendar.

State House Updates:

Floor Recap

The House passed the following housing-related proposals:

HB 1010, relative to residential development on commercially zoned land. OTPA 17-0.

• Housing Action NH opposed HB 1010 as introduced because it would repeal the residential in commercial zones bill signed into law last year. Housing Action is neutral on the OTP/A motion as the amendment makes technical changes to clarify implementation standards without undermining the HB 631 from last session.

HB 1523-FN, relative to disclosure requirements for condominium associations. Motion: OTP/A 18-0

• Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.

HB 1598-FN, relative to notice for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes. Motion: OTP/A 15-3

• Housing Action NH opposed this proposal as it was introduced because it expedited the eviction process and undermined due process. As amended, the proposal largely codifies the existing judicial process into state law and was negotiated by New Hampshire Legal Assistance. Housing Action is neutral on the OTP/A motion.

HB 1759, relative to the disqualification of a member of a local land use board. Motion: OTP/A 18-0

• Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.

HB 1499-FN, relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute. Motion: OTP/A: 10-8

• Housing Action NH opposes HB 1499. The committee amendment makes significant improvements to a proposal that expands the criteria for eviction by prohibiting a landlord form using the expanded criteria it’s disclosed prior to lease agreement. While the amendment is an improvement, we still oppose the proposal.

The House defeated the following housing-related proposals:

HB 1065-FN, relative to multi-family and mixed-use development in commercially zoned areas. Motion: ITL 17-0

• Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.

HB 1120, allowing subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Motion: ITL 17-1

• Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.

HB 1143, relative to the remediation of mold in rental housing. ITL.17-1

• Housing Action NH supported the concept behind this proposal.

HB 1349, relative to exemptions from multi-family zoning requirements for small or low-density communities. Motion: ITL 17-0

• Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.

HB 1371, prohibiting application fees for residential rental agreements. Motion: ITL 16-2

• Housing Action NH supported the concept behind this proposal.

HB 1496, repealing the cap on residential parking spaces. Motion: ITL 16-0

• Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.

HB 1525, relative to zoning restrictions concerning dwelling unit occupancy. Motion: ITL 15-0

• Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.

HB 1553, relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies. Motion: ITL 17-1

• Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.

HB 1732-FN, relative to housing accessibility and voucher allocation in new multi-unit developments. Motion: ITL 10-8.

• Housing Action NH supports the concept behind HB 1732 – increasing access to housing for people with disabilities and those with vouchers – however, we did not support the bill as introduced because of technical challenges with implementation that risked decreasing the ability to build new housing. The minority report is an OTP/A motion that would include adding universal design standards into the housing champions criteria and allowing municipalities to extend 79-E benefits to projects that meet universal design criteria. Housing Action supports that proposed amendment.

The House tabled the following housing-related proposals:

HB 1786, relative to creating a state assessment on non-homestead luxury second homes to fund statewide housing development programs and address housing shortages and making appropriations therefor. Motion: Without Recommendation 0-0

• Housing Action NH supported the investment in successful public-private partnerships. This proposal did not receive a public hearing due to a clerical error. The bill went to the floor of the House without recommendation and was tabled.

HB 1814-FN, establishing a 10-year strategic housing and infrastructure plan. Motion: ITL 10-8

• Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.

The Senate passed the following housing-related proposals:

SB 415, relative to a certain exemption in interest in condominium units. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 6-0.

• Housing Action NH supports the OTP motion.

SB 508, relative to the zoning board of adjustments appeal period. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 6-0.

• Housing Action NH supports the OTP motion.

SB 564, prohibiting certain municipal development restrictions. OTP. Vote 6-0.

• Housing Action NH supports the OTP motion.

SB 435, relative to the zoning board of adjustment variance criteria. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 4-0.

• Housing Action NH preferred the bill as introduced.

SB 419-FN-A, relative to the housing champion designation and program and the affordable housing fund, and making appropriations therefor. Interim Study, Vote 5-2.

• Housing Action NH supports an OTP motion.