House Housing Committee: Tuesday, February 4th, Legislative Office Building Room 305 10:00 am — House Bill 577, relative to modifying the definition of ADUs. - What The Bill Does: This bill allows for attached and detached ADUs by-right throughout New Hampshire.
- Why It Matters: ADUs are a great form of naturally occurring attainable housing, meaning they don’t rely on financial incentives and still are generally below median rents. They are an important piece of the housing puzzle in New Hampshire as they help our aging population – who are often in homes bigger than they need – find a place in their community that is right-sized. New Hampshire law currently requires that attached ADUs are allowed in single-family zones, but communities can still require a public hearing process. Approximately half of New Hampshire communities allow for detached ADUs, which are often found above garages or in barns.
- This is a high-priority bill for Housing Action NH.
11:00 am — House Bill 685, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing. - What The Bill Does: This bill permits manufactured housing in all residentially zoned areas.
- Why It Matters: Manufactured housing is an attainable, lower-cost option for home ownership, but it’s often regulated out of communities due to stigmas associated with the design and perceptions of those who live in manufactured housing.
1:00 pm — House Bill 459, relative to acreage requirements and zoning regarding sewer infrastructure and single-family residential uses. - What The Bill Does: This bill aims to allow the creation of more starter homes by setting baseline standards for lot sizes. In a majority of single-family zoned land without water and sewer infrastructure, lot size would be determined by the Department of Environmental Services soil standards. In lots serviced by water and sewer infrastructure, no ordinance could require lot sizes greater than 22,000 sq ft.
- Why It Matters: New Hampshire—and the United States as a whole—has made it increasingly difficult to build starter single-family homes by requiring large lots. An analysis of the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas found that only 15% of buildable land allowed for smaller single-family homes, which are well-suited for downsizing and starter homes.
1:30 pm — House Bill 631, permitting residential buildings in commercial zoning by right. - What The Bill Does: This bill aims to allow residential buildings in commercially zoned areas in urban communities designated by the US Census Bureau.
- Why It Matters: The idea behind allowing residential uses in commercial zones is that it encourages homes to be built near jobs and focuses development on areas with existing infrastructure.
House Ways and Means Committee: Tuesday, February 4th, LOB Room 202-204
10:00 am — House Bill 530, increasing the amount of revenue transferred from the real estate transfer tax to the affordable housing fund. - What The Bill Does: This bill doubles the annual appropriation from the Real Estate Transfer Tax to the Affordable Housing Fund. Currently, the first $5 million collected each year from the Real Estate Transfer Tax goes directly to the Affordable Housing Fund. This does not change the overall Real Estate Transfer Tax rate.
- Why It Matters: The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides low-interest loans and grants to workforce and affordable housing developments. The AHF is the primary state-level housing financing tool.
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