Protect the Housing Champion Program

The New Hampshire legislature created a voluntary initiative, the Housing Champions designation and grant program, in 2023 to encourage communities to build more housing and make long-term regulatory changes to benefit their current and future residents. Now, a handful of state representatives are attempting to repeal this program. At a time when housing is too unaffordable and inaccessible, we should be providing communities with more tools to address the Granite State’s housing shortage, not less.

The Housing Champion program allows towns and cities to apply for designation which would enable them to apply for grant funds to help relieve them from the housing shortage. Over the past three years, Housing Champion communities have been permitting new homes at a higher rate than non-Housing Champion communities. It is important that we reward communities for taking the steps to build more housing, ensuring that every Granite Stater has access to safe and affordable housing. If we want to give families of all shapes and sizes the options they want and deserve, we have to oppose any efforts to repeal the Housing Champion program. Use our quick and easy email template tool to tell the Senate Commerce Committee to oppose HB1196.