New Hampshire’s housing production reached its highest annual level in nearly two decades, according to the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ (BEA) latest report on the state’s housing supply and permitting trends.
BEA’s annual
Current Estimates and Trends in New Hampshire’s Housing Supply reports that municipalities issued building permits in 2024 for the construction of 5,822 housing units, which is the highest total since 2005. Assuming all permitted units were built in 2025, the state has added 25,688 housing units since 2020, as cited in this year’s report for BEA.
According to New Hampshire Housing’s 2023 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment, 32,704 housing units were needed between 2020 and 2025 to reach a balanced market by 2040. To reach the goal of 88,364 units by 2040, the state needs to construct an additional 62,676 units. The 28 designated BEA Housing Champion communities approved 45 percent of all housing units built in 2025, underscoring the impact of local policies that support housing development.
“This repot showcases an important milestone for New Hampshire. Housing is a core component of the state’s economic strategy of growing and attracting a strong workforce,” said BEA Interim Commissioner James Key-Wallace. “BEA’s housing initiatives, InvestNH and the Housing Champion program, have made consistent measurable progress in advancing this critical issue.”
As of July 1, 2025, the state’s total housing stock is estimated at 664,039 units. Multi-unit housing continues to play an increasingly important role in meeting housing demand. In 2025, 62 percent of new housing units were in multi-unit buildings, the highest share recorded since the housing survey began in the mid-1970s. Single-family homes accounted for 35.6 percent of units, while manufactured housing made up 2.4 percent.
Housing growth remains concentrated in a relatively small number of communities. In 2025, 23 municipalities, representing 43.5 percent of the state’s population, accounted for 63 percent of housing units built.
BEA’s Housing Champions designation recognizes cities and towns that have taken action to expand housing supply by updating zoning, streamlining permitting, and approving new housing.
“Housing Champion communities are demonstrating the impact of local action in achieving tangible results,” said Division of Planning and Community Development Director Heather Shank. “These community leaders are expanding housing opportunities statewide, providing a model for other municipalities working to address housing needs.”
The Housing Champion communities approved a total of 2,643 housing units in 2024. These communities include: Boscawen (35), Concord (147), Derry (155), Dover (500), Enfield (9), Exeter (13), Farmington (11), Hampton (17), Hillsborough (18), Hinsdale (6), Hooksett (30), Jaffrey (15), Keene (15), Lebanon (218), Lincoln (32), Manchester (364), Meredith (33), Nashua (159), New London (5), Newmarket (74), Newport (26), Plymouth (26), Portsmouth (249), Rochester (266), Rye (23), Salem (40), and Somersworth (160).