Housing

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 465: relative to the housing opportunity zone program.

HB 465 amends New Hampshire's housing opportunity zone program to add income verification requirements for properties in these zones. It requires municipalities to establish how often property owners must verify tenant income (at move-in and no more than annually), with a special exception for accessory dwelling units priced affordably for households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMLI). The bill also ensures tenants who initially qualified but later lost income eligibility can renew their lease for at least one year. This directly affects cities/towns establishing housing zones, property owners, and low-income renters in those zones. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds income verification to maintain affordability in housing opportunity zones, with exception for 80% AMLI units and protects tenants who lose income eligibility.95% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 175: relative to the use of covenants by municipalities.

SB 175 allows municipalities to enforce valid private covenants (like neighborhood rules set by homeowners' associations) but prohibits them from requiring or encouraging such covenants as a condition for zoning or land use approvals. The bill specifically exempts workforce housing developments from this prohibition, permitting municipalities to require covenants for these projects under separate rules. This directly affects municipalities (which must adjust their approval processes), developers (especially for workforce housing), and property owners with existing covenants. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, creating clear boundaries for when covenants can be enforced versus when they cannot be mandated.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts workforce housing developments from covenant restrictions, facilitating affordable housing projects by allowing municipalities to require covenants for these specific developments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1814: establishing a 10-year strategic housing and infrastructure plan.

HB 1814 establishes a 10-year statewide strategic housing and infrastructure plan (SHIP) that requires the governor to develop and update the plan every two years. The plan must identify housing needs, incorporate regional infrastructure projects, and include public input through hearings in each executive council district. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Business and Economic Affairs), municipalities (which must update master plans every 10 years), and regional planning organizations. The bill also expands the Council on Housing Stability’s membership to include regional planning representatives and housing advocates, ensuring broader input into housing strategy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 10-year strategic housing plan identifying needs, requiring public input and infrastructure coordination, directly advancing housing development and planning efforts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates regional infrastructure projects in statewide plan, directly supporting transportation infrastructure development through planning and funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1713: relative to zoning conformity and redevelopment standards.

HB 1713 establishes new standards for affordable housing development in New Hampshire by revising zoning laws. It defines "eligible housing" for low-income (80% or less of median area income) and moderate-income (80%-140% of median area income) residents, and authorizes the transfer of surplus state-owned property to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for affordable housing projects. The bill requires affordability restrictions on housing developed on transferred properties, including rules for occupancy, resale, and mixed-income housing. This directly affects state agencies managing surplus property, the Housing Finance Authority, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes zoning standards for affordable housing, defines income eligibility, authorizes state property transfer to Housing Finance Authority for affordable projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 1008: relative to modifying innovative land use controls, requirements, and appeals.

HB 1008 clarifies the definition of "inclusionary zoning" to include voluntary incentives like density bonuses or streamlined applications that encourage affordable housing development. It expands local government options for promoting affordable housing and creates a new process allowing developers to propose alternative compliance methods for inclusionary zoning requirements. If a planning board disagrees with an applicant's alternative solution, the bill permits third-party review under existing law. This directly affects municipalities establishing housing policies and developers seeking to build affordable units under local ordinances. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill clarifies inclusionary zoning to include voluntary incentives like density bonuses, expands local options for affordable housing, and creates alternative compliance processes for developers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1786: relative to creating a state assessment on non-homestead luxury second homes to fund statewide housing development programs and address housing shortages and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1786 imposes a semi-annual state assessment on residential properties valued over $1 million that are not used as a primary residence (luxury second homes), directly affecting owners of such properties. The revenue generated funds statewide housing development programs, including $15 million for workforce training in building trades and municipal grants for housing production. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund for demolishing vacant buildings, expanding tax credits for housing infrastructure, and establishing a commission to study state financing for housing. The bill aims to address New Hampshire's housing shortage by leveraging new revenue to support affordable housing construction and workforce development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on luxury second homes to fund housing programs, directly advancing fiscal allocation for essential services under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing development via luxury home tax, allocates $15M for workforce training and municipal grants, and creates dedicated fund for vacant building demolition.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $15M for workforce training in building trades, directly advancing labor and employment through skills development for construction jobs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes Workforce Development

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 435: relative to the zoning board of adjustment variance criteria.

SB 435 removes the requirement that property owners must prove an unusual hardship to obtain a zoning variance from a local zoning board. This directly affects homeowners, developers, and businesses seeking to modify land use under current zoning rules, as well as the zoning boards reviewing these requests. The bill repeals two specific sections of state law (RSA 674:33, I(a)(2)(E) and I(b)) that previously mandated hardship assessments for variances. The change simplifies the process by allowing boards to grant variances without evaluating hardship, effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves hardship requirement for zoning variances, simplifying development process and facilitating housing construction without weakening tenant protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1674: creating a tax exemption for certain lower-income property owners.

HB 1674 creates a new homestead tax exemption for lower-income homeowners in New Hampshire, directly affecting individuals who own and reside in a single primary residence. To qualify, applicants must have a household income at or below 100% of the median income for a 3-person household in their area (per HUD data), have lived at the property for at least one year prior to April 1, own no more than one property as their primary home, and meet their municipality’s assessed home value limits. Municipalities must hold a vote to adopt the exemption at a town meeting or through their legislative body; it is not automatic. The exemption would take effect on April 1, 2027, and applies only to properties meeting these specific income and residency criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates homestead tax exemption for lower-income homeowners, providing direct tax relief per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax relief to lower-income homeowners, directly increasing housing affordability for primary residences per income and residency criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1593: relative to nondiscrimination due to disability.

HB 1593 codifies Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire law, prohibiting disability discrimination in programs receiving state or federal funding. It applies directly to state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, housing services, and other entities that receive public funds, requiring them to ensure accessibility without mandating major structural changes for small providers if alternatives exist. The bill establishes legal remedies including lawsuits, injunctions, and reasonable attorney's fees for successful claims, but excludes compensatory damages. It references the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for employment discrimination and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare providers to ensure accessibility without disability discrimination, protecting patient rights and improving access for disabled individuals in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits disability discrimination in housing services, directly protecting tenants with disabilities from discrimination, a core tenant protection under housing policy.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1327: relative to the definition of commercially-zoned land.

HB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies definitions for mixed-use development, enabling residential components in commercial zones and facilitating housing projects through streamlined local approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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