Table of Contents

STATE

Housing Production Funding. Proposed increased investments into the Affordable Housing Fund, InvestNH, a new Historic Housing Tax Credit, and a Homeownership Innovations Fund are making their way through this legislative session. The Governor’s budget proposed $25 million for the Affordable Housing Fund, $30 million for InvestNH, and $5 million per year for a new Historic Housing Tax Credit. The Senate, through Senate Bill 231, sponsored by Senator Dan Innis (R-Bradford), passed its housing funding proposals that mostly mirrors the Governor’s, adding a 10-year affordability requirement to InvestNH and $10 million for homeless services. The House Finance Committee, acknowledging its lower revenue estimates and the Senate’s more generous proposals, cut the Affordable Housing Fund to $15 million, InvestNH to $15 million limited to municipal grants, and eliminated the tax credit. Housing advocates will continue to call for robust production investments as budget bills, HB1 and HB2 head to the Senate.

Housing Champion Program.  The Senate passed Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth), on Thursday, supporting the unanimous ought to pass recommendation from the Senate Finance Committee. The program would launch a new municipal technical assistance, recognition, and grants program within the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Endorsed by the NH Municipal Association, the Business and Industry Association of NH, the NH Bankers Association, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association, the NH Auto Dealers Association, and Housing Action NH, the program would incentivize improvements to zoning and regulations, local land use board members training, water/sewer and other infrastructure improvements through grant opportunities. As with other budget priorities, the Senate tabled the item after passage and will be reintroduced as an amendment to the budget.

Good Cause Eviction. Housing Action NH opposed House Bill 117, which would add the end of lease term to good cause eviction. In testimony provided to the Senate Commerce Committee, Housing Action NH’s Tom DeRosa noted “as … programs funded with federal resources wind down, we urge policy makers to avoid any policy changes that would exacerbate a very fragile housing landscape in our state. With virtually no rental housing available near job centers, policies that facilitate evictions will undoubtedly challenge NH’s economy and increase homelessness.”

Residency of Transient Individuals. The Senate has passed Senate Bill 110 that proposes codifying a new ethics agreement from the NH Local Welfare Association relative to residency and municipal reimbursement for services. Following crossover, the bill will be heard by the House Municipal and County Government Committee.

FEDERAL

2024 Federal Budget. President Biden recently released his proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2024, the proposed “Green Book” from Treasury and USDA’s budget proposal. The $6.9 trillion proposal includes $73.3 billion for HUD, a $1.1 billion increase over FY23, and $30.1 billion for USDA, an increase of $3.8 billion from FY23. Congress will soon begin its FY 24 budget and appropriations process.

Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act Final Rule. HUD recently published its final rule for implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). The final rule revises specific sections of the HOTMA regulations, which govern income calculation for the purposes of determining income eligibility and tenant payments, as well as occupancy standards for tenants whose incomes have exceeded set thresholds in public housing developments and HUD-assisted housing, including housing with Project-Based Rental Assistance. The new regulations will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

NLIHC Housing Policy Forum. Housing Action NH attended the 2023 Housing Policy Forum and Capitol Hill Day, Onward to Housing Justice, hosted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Presenters included HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and author Matthew Desmond. Housing Action NH also met with legislative staff of all members of the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation.

PRESS

EVENTS

Planning and Zoning Conference, April 29, 2023

The NH Office of Planning and Development (OPD) Spring 2023 Planning and Zoning Conference will be held as a free, full day online conference on Saturday, April 29 from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm. The conference will have five tracks: a Planning Board track, Zoning Board of Adjustment track, Historic Preservation track, Housing track, and Planning Processes and Data track.

FHL Bank Boston Community Impact and Partnership Forum, May 9, Concord

To explore how members, sponsors, and community developers can successfully partner with FHLBank Boston to support the creation of affordable housing and promote homeownership and economic development in their communities.

NH Housing Multifamily Housing Conference, June 9, 2023, Portsmouth