Attending the NH Housing Finance Authority’s Housing & Economy 2024 conference has been both inspiring and thought-provoking. I’m particularly encouraged by the strides other states have made in zoning reform, which have helped reduce homelessness and slow the rise of rent prices, making housing more affordable for many households.
ANGELA BROOKS, FAICP, highlighted an important point in her presentation on affordable housing advocacy: “Overcoming NIMBYism is really about making things accessible.” She explained how visuals that challenge outdated perceptions of affordable housing, as well as thoughtful language adjustments, can make a big difference. For example, replacing phrases like "increasing density" or "eliminating single-family zoning" with "increasing housing opportunities" or "adding more options to single-family zoned areas" can help foster more productive conversations.
While we can and should be mindful of how we communicate, the reality is that in New Hampshire, pushing for zoning reform will still be a challenge. We've avoided these difficult conversations for too long, contributing to the current housing crisis. If we want to safeguard the future of our communities, we must engage in these discussions and advocate for meaningful change. Without this, we risk losing our workforce and allowing homelessness to grow among our most vulnerable populations.
Join me and over 90 fellow community members and service providers as part of The Home For All Coalition of The Greater Seacoast! By becoming part of this collective effort, we can take action to expand affordable housing and prevent homelessness in Seacoast NH and Southern ME. Together, we are mobilizing resources and challenging systemic barriers to make housing accessible for all. Let’s #ShiftTheSeacoast and drive the changes our community needs!
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