Welcome to the Housing Matters Newsletter! 

Thank you to the strong bipartisan majorities in both the House and the Senate who fought for increased housing options yesterday. The legislature voted to allow homes to be located near jobs in underutilized office space and aging strip malls, passed legislation to allow homes on smaller lots, passed legislation to increase funding for affordable housing, and supported many other regulatory improvements.

Yesterday was a good day for the workers who keep our communities going, young families looking for a starter home, and seniors looking for the right-sized housing to stay in their communities.

There’s still a long way to go as proposals cross over to the second chamber, but thanks to the work of so many advocates, concerned citizens, and a majority of legislators, we’re moving forward.

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 this newsletter was forwarded to you, and you want to receive future updates, you can sign up here.

Best,
Nick Taylor

Director
Housing Action NH
nick@housingactionnh.org
 

If You Only Have 5 Minutes… (Part 1)

Please voice your support for increased access to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). 

On Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee will hear HB 577, which will remove barriers to building ADUs and update New Hampshire’s existing ADU law to allow for detached ADUs on single-family properties.

These smaller 1 or 2 bedroom homes in backyards or above garages are more likely to be affordable due to their size. ADUs also help support older adults to age in place by being close to family members or caregivers.

Please support HB 577 online here by selecting Tuesday, March 25 -> Commerce Committee -> HB 577 or attend the committee hearing in person (although attending in person will take more than 5 minutes!). 

 

If You Only Have 5 Minutes… (Part 2)

Everyone loves a thank you! 

Our legislators often only hear from constituents when they are in opposition or ahead of a key vote, but it’s important we also thank our legislators when they support proactive legislation. 

SB 84, which allows homes on smaller lots to increase the supply of starter homes and those suitable for downsizing, passed on a 13-10 vote. The Senators who supported Senate Bill are:

District 3: Senator Mark McConkey
District 4: Senator David Watters
District 5: Senator Sue Prentiss
District 7: Senator Dan Innis*
District 10: Senator Donovan Fenton
District 11: Senator Tim McGough
District 13: Senator Cindy Rosenwald
District 14: Senator Sharon Carson
District 15: Senator Tara Reardon
District 16: Senator Keith Murphy
District 17: Senator Howard Pearl
District 18: Senator Victoria Sullivan
District 20: Senator Pat Long
District 21: Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

You can find out who your Senator is and their contact information here.

*Senator Innis was absent from session yesterday but supported SB 84 in the Commerce Committee. 

 

In The Committee Room

It’s another (fairly) light week in the policy committees as the legislature works through final amendments to the remaining bills ahead of the April 10th crossover deadline.

Senate Commerce Committee: Tuesday, March 25th, State House Room 100

10:45 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 and those just starting out 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.

House Finance Committee

The House Finance Committee has started taking up budget amendments at the division level and will take full committee votes at the beginning of April.

 

On The Floor

The House of Representatives will convene for session on Wednesday, March 26th and Thursday, March 27th. The notable housing bills are:

  • House Bill 410 prohibits municipalities from placing extraordinary restrictions on residential property that go beyond a compelling government interest for health and safety. HB 410 received a 17-0 OTP recommendation and is on the consent calendar.
  • House Bill 457 prohibits the enforcement of any ordinances that mandates occupancy based on blood relation or marriage. This received a 16-1 OTP recommendation and is on the consent calendar.
  • House Bill 530 doubles the annual appropriation from the Real Estate Transfer Tax to the Affordable Housing Fund from $5 million to $10 million. This received an 11-9 inexpedient-to-legislate (ITL) motion. 

The Senate will convene for session on Thursday, March 27th. The notable housing bills are:

  • Senate Bill 86 creates a state-backed loan guarantee program at New Hampshire Housing to assist in the financing of affordable housing development. The Senate Finance Committee recommended a 6-0 OTP. 
  • Senate Bill 153, as amended, creates an expedited driveway permit process for major entrances onto state roads for developments with more than 20 units. The Senate Finance Committee recommended a 6-0 OTP.
  • Senate Bill 279 continues the successful Housing Champions program by appropriating $5 million for the upcoming biennium. SB 279 received a 7-0 from the Senate Finance Committee and will likely be tabled for consideration in the budget.
  • Senate Bill 291, as amended, would allow religious institutions to build up to six units on their property. SB 291 received a 5-0 OTP recommendation from Senate Ways and Means Committee.
 

Floor Recap

  • House Bill 631 allows residential uses in certain commercial zones. This proposal is often referred to as “homes near jobs” as it helps create more walkable communities and allows for housing in underutilized commercial space. HB 631 passed 204-134 and advances to the Senate.
  • House Bill 351 would require a 60-day notice to evict. HB 351 was laid on the table.
  • House Bill 628 would provide source of income discrimination, which currently allows someone to be rejected for an apartment solely because they are paying with a housing choice voucher.  HB 628 was voted Inexpedient-to-Legislate 213-152.
  • Senate Bill 81 doubles the annual appropriation from the Real Estate Transfer Tax to the Affordable Housing Fund from $5 million to $10 million and would make a one-time $25 million appropriation to the Affordable Housing Fund. SB 81 passed on a voice vote and was tabled for consideration in the budget.
  • Senate Bill 84 sets baseline minimum lot sizes (the minimum amount of land needed to build a home) for a majority of land zoned to permit single-family homes. The lot size depends on whether a lot has access to municipal water and sewer infrastructure. Legalizing smaller lot sizes allows for more starter homes and homes suitable for downsizing. SB 84 passed 13-10 and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 90 would allow for residential uses in commercial zones. SB 90 was re-referred to Commerce to continue working on the proposal over the summer.   
  • Senate Bill 163 would prohibit local communities from placing a moratorium on new construction. SB 163 passed on a voice vote and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 170, as amended, includes a number of regulatory and approval timeline clarifications within the Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Fish and Game. SB 170 passed on the consent calendar and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 173 would update the assessing formula for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments. This would provide more predictability and standardization for LIHTC projects, and better recognize the true assessed value of these deed-restricted houses. SB 173 passed on a voice vote and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 174 prohibits Planning Boards from considering the number of bedrooms in a housing unit when making a determination of approval or denial. SB 174 passed on a voice vote and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 282 updates the building code to allow for the construction of certain multi-family buildings that are up to six stories to only have one staircase provided other fire safety standards are met. This allows for multi-family on smaller lots. SB 282 passed on the consent calendar and advances to the House.
  • Senate Bill 284 expands on HB 1400 from 2024 to further reform minimum parking requirements. SB 284 passed 15-8 and advances to the House.