Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) is launching its regional housing needs assessment (RHNA) project; a multi-faceted initiative to review current housing trends and better understand needs. This year-long process will include a plan to address future housing options that meet demand and ensure a high quality of life for all New Hampshire residents. Regional Planning Commissions (RPC) are a political subdivision of the state and support a local membership of municipalities in their planning and community development responsibilities.
The RHNA project is being conducted in partnership with the eight other RPCs, the New Hampshire Office of Planning and Development, and is funded by an American
Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant.
Affordable housing is crucial to New Hampshire's economy. The low housing inventory, increasing population and rising prices affect individuals and families who want to live and work in the granite state. In October 2021, the statewide median sales price was $375,000, almost 13% higher than the previous year¹, while the NH vacancy rate fell to under 1% in 2021.² For renters, individuals need to earn 128% of the estimated statewide median renter income, or over $59,900 a year, to afford the statewide median cost of a
typical two-bedroom apartment with utilities.²
The need for this project is evident and the process is designed to rely heavily on the public, who have an important opportunity to be part of a framework for change. SRPC, and its regional counterparts want to understand the personal effect the housing crisis has on residents, their businesses, and their community, including both challenges and successes experienced. In other words, what is working, and what needs to change?
To kick-off this public input process, each RPC has launched a survey), so that residents from across the state can share their stories. You can access the SRPC survey online.
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- NH Housing Market Snapshot, 2021
- NH Housing Rental Survey Report, 2021
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