Housing is a hot issue. In NH and throughout the country, scarce available housing is putting a strain on working families and preventing businesses from recruiting and retaining workers. Impacts from the housing crisis are rippling through communities. Studying housing issues is a core-function of NH’s Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs), and by March 2023, each RPC completed a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) aimed at addressing this issue. These updates are a function of RPCs per RSA 36:47. 

This project, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant, and coordinated by NH Office of Planning and Development, will allow the RPCs to look in-depth at housing needs within each region and across income levels. The RHNAs will provide a foundation for change by including tools, recommendations, and strategies for local decision makers to address these issues in their communities