Leaders Tackle New Hampshire Housing Market Scarcity

Business and community advocates are weighing new strategies to address the state's limited housing supply.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Residential

Gouache-painted illustration of a row of modest New England houses, evoking community housing and regional residential development.
New Hampshire business and community leaders met to discuss strategies for increasing housing supply, specifically targeting exclusionary zoning barriers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local community prioritize changing zoning laws to increase housing availability?

New Hampshire business leaders and advocates met on October 15 to address the state's housing scarcity and high costs. The discussion highlighted potential solutions, including expanding resident-owned manufactured housing communities.

Why it matters

The forum aimed to bridge the gap between economic development and housing stability for New Hampshire residents. By identifying exclusionary zoning as a primary barrier to supply, local leaders hope to foster strategies that improve long-term housing affordability.

The forum hosted 110 attendees, including nonprofit advocates and business figures, to discuss ways to address the state's housing market. These participants are evaluating how to overcome supply constraints that continue to define the housing landscape in New Hampshire.

The players

Rob Dapice

He serves as the executive director and CEO of New Hampshire Housing, an agency tasked with increasing housing opportunities for residents.

Tara Reardon

A Democratic State Senator representing Concord who participates in legislative discussions regarding community development.

Kait Gallagher

The director of development and communication for the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, which works to address housing instability.

Brian Goldstone

Author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America, which documents the experiences of families struggling with housing costs.

The details

The panel of economic and housing leaders analyzed how local zoning laws currently restrict new development. They emphasized that shifting these regulations could help address the state's housing scarcity, noting that resident-owned manufactured housing communities offer a viable pathway to increasing the supply of attainable homes.

Timeline

  1. October 15, 2026: Business leaders and housing advocates gathered at Arts Alley for the forum.

The Home Front

This discussion reflects the ongoing struggle against state-wide housing supply constraints as tracked by New Hampshire Housing. The focus on zoning reform highlights the current regulatory environment that many families face when seeking attainable housing in the state.

Homeowners and renters in the area should monitor upcoming local municipal meetings where zoning changes may be debated. Understanding these regulatory discussions can help residents advocate for housing policies that support community stability and affordability.

The takeaway

The housing market in New Hampshire faces significant pressure from supply shortages and restrictive local zoning laws. Families may consider tracking local planning board agendas to stay informed about potential developments that impact housing density in their own neighborhoods.

Further reading

For more on the local market and housing trends, see New Hampshire Residential.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Concord Monitor.

Live Poll

Should your local community prioritize changing zoning laws to increase housing availability?