Housing

HB 1405 establishes a program allowing New Hampshire's Housing Finance Authority to guarantee up to 80% of loans for affordable housing projects. This reduces risk for lenders financing housing where costs (rent/mortgage plus utilities/taxes) do not exceed 30% of residents' income, defined as 50-80% of state median income. The program limits annual guarantees to $30 million per lender and $300 million total statewide. It directly affects lenders, housing developers, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable homes.

HB 1661 expands New Hampshire's Housing Finance Authority's "Community Heroes" program to provide homeownership assistance to essential workers. It appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $1.5 million annually thereafter from the General Fund to fund the program, with no more than 10% allowed for administrative costs. The program specifically targets eligible workers in healthcare, childcare, elder care, law enforcement, firefighting, education, and active military service, allowing them to use funds for down payments, closing costs, or interest rate reductions. The bill requires the Housing Finance Authority to establish rules defining eligibility and takes effect July 1, 2028, for the annual appropriation.