The Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program was adopted by the New Hampshire legislature (
NH RSA 12-O:71-76) to encourage municipalities to create pro-housing zoning and land use regulations. It enables municipalities to voluntarily engage in the designation process and gain access to exclusive grant opportunities and earn credit towards other program applications. $5 million was allocated to the Housing Champion Program in Fiscal Year 2024.
To date there have been 2 rounds of applications resulting in 18 Housing Champion designations and 10 pending designations. A total of $5 million has been awarded to round 1 designees, including $1.5 million awarded to 4 communities for housing production and $3.5 million awarded to 7 communities for infrastructure projects that support housing.
2024 Housing Champions
To qualify for the designation, communities must provide documentation which demonstrates that zoning and land use regulations promote workforce housing; trains members of land use boards on appropriate procedures and laws that apply to board members; implement sewer and water infrastructure improvements; and implement public transportation and walkability infrastructure like sidewalks.
The
Housing Champion Rules Bea 500 have been adopted effective 8/8/2024 attached.
Housing Champion Application Information Session - October 16, 2024
Housing Champion Grant Application Information
Housing Champion Advisory Committee
For more information, email
housingchampions@livefree.nh.gov.