The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is pleased to recognize the towns of Meredith, Gorham, Lincoln, Plymouth, Hillsborough, New London, Exeter, Hampton, Newmarket, and Rye as Housing Champions for their leadership in expanding affordable and accessible housing.
These communities earned the designation from BEA’s InvestNH program for their proactive approaches to land use, zoning, and permitting that support housing development while preserving local character. With 18 communities recognized in 2024, the total number of Housing Champions statewide now stands at 28.
“These towns exemplify what it means to be a Housing Champion,” said Andrew Dorsett, InvestNH program director. “Local leaders understand the importance of thoughtful planning to create housing solutions that allow people to live and work in their communities.”
Through the Housing Champions initiative, BEA awarded $5 million in grants statewide, supporting the development of 2,700 new housing units. Housing production grants led to roughly 400 completed units, while infrastructure improvement grants advanced 2,300 additional units, helping communities grow workforce housing and strengthen local economies.
Established in 2023, the Housing Champions program is part of the state’s strategy to address housing challenges with innovative, locally driven solutions. Since 2022, InvestNH has supported nearly 5,000 housing units and provided technical assistance to more than 70 municipalities across New Hampshire.