March 28 Housing Matters Newsletter

Welcome to the Housing Matters Newsletter! 

All eyes will be on the state budget next week.

The House Finance Committee spent the past few months hearing testimony from state departments, considering legislative proposals, and tracking federal funding impacts. Over the past few weeks, you may have heard about amendments to the state budget cutting programs and positions. The Finance Committee divides into three divisions that each focus on specific sections of the state budget before coming back together as the full committee for final amendment votes. The proposed cuts were brought forward during the division process and will be formalized when the full Finance Committee meets next Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Next week, we’ll have a full rundown of all housing-related amendments that impact the House version of the budget before it heads to the floor of the House on April 10th.

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

House Finance Committee

The House Finance Committee wraps up division votes today and will meet as an entire committee next week to adopt amendments on HB 1 and HB 2, and make a final recommendation. The budget will head to the floor of the House for a full vote on Thursday, April 10th. The Finance Committee schedule for next week is:

• House Finance Committee, executive session, Monday, March 31st, LOB 210-211, 10:00 am
• House Finance Committee, executive session, Tuesday, April 1st, LOB 210-211, 10:00 am
• House Finance Committee, executive session, Thursday, April 3rd, LOB 210-211, 1:00 pm

Senate Commerce Committee: Tuesday, April 1st, State House Room 100

Approx. 10:00 am — Executive Session

The Senate Commerce Committee will likely make its committee recommendation on House Bill 577, relative to modifying the definition of ADUs, during executive session on Tuesday.

• 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.

The House of Representatives will convene for session on Thursday, April 10th. 

The Senate will next convene for session at the call of the Senate President (likely 4/10 or 4/17).

• 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 passed on a voice vote.
• House Bill 457 prohibits the enforcement of any ordinances that mandates occupancy based on blood relation or marriage. HB 457 passed on a voice vote.
• House Bill 530 doubles the annual appropriation from the Real Estate Transfer Tax to the Affordable Housing Fund from $5 million to $10 million. HB 530 was tabled for consideration in the House version of the budget. 
• Senate Bill 86 creates a state-backed loan guarantee program at New Hampshire Housing to assist in the financing of affordable housing development. SB 86 passed on a voice vote and then was laid on the table for consideration in the budget. 
• Senate Bill 153, as amended, creates an expedited driveway permit process for major entrances onto state roads for developments with more than 20 units. SB 153 passed on a voice vote and heads to the House.
• Senate Bill 279 would continue the successful Housing Champions program by appropriating $5 million for the upcoming biennium. SB 279 passed on a voice vote and was laid on the table 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 passed on a voice vote and heads to the House.

HANH Director, Nick Taylor, traveled to Washington, DC, this week to attend the National Low Income Housing Coalition Policy Forum. We discussed the latest federal updates, met with staff from New Hampshire’s federal delegation, and discussed regional impacts of federal policy changes with the New England Housing Network.