Should the NH Legislature promote affordable housing?

According to a report issued by the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness, families are making up a greater percentage of the state’s homeless population.

In the report, 760 out of 1,632 homeless people in New Hampshire were families this year, whereas 704 out of 1,635 homeless were families last year.

Possible policy responses to increase the availability of affordable housing include rent controls, subsidizing mortgages for low-income earners, offering low-income housing tax credits, or legislation requiring local zoning boards to include affordable housing in land use plans.

Supporters of taking legislative action on this issue contend that a lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest reasons why individuals and families are homeless. Some argue that even people who receive federal vouchers for housing sometimes find the credit is not worth enough to secure an apartment.

Opponents of affordable housing legislation argue that the problem has more to do with those suffering from severe mental illness. Others contend that such policies could lead to tax increases or could harm the economy.