WHC Newsletter | February 2026
- Seacoast WHC
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to the Greater Seacoast Housing Wire!
To receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox, sign up here.
February has brought meaningful momentum for housing across the Greater Seacoast, with encouraging progress at both the local and state levels.
Communities throughout the region are taking important steps to expand housing opportunity — from Durham approving four-story buildings downtown, to Portsmouth adopting the region’s first Housing Action Plan, to Kittery advancing zoning changes to unlock workforce housing. These decisions reflect growing recognition that housing is essential to vibrant communities, a strong workforce, and a resilient regional economy.
At the state level, critical policy conversations continue. While some housing initiatives face challenges, we are also seeing strong support for reforms that expand housing supply and strengthen state-local partnerships. These discussions highlight the importance of sustained public engagement and continued collaboration across sectors.
Housing progress happens at every level — through local elections, town meetings, planning decisions, and state policy. We encourage you to stay informed, get involved, and help shape the future of housing in your community.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to ensuring that anyone who works in the Greater Seacoast can afford to call it home.
Coalition Updates
Join us for Seacoast Housing Conversations!
We’re excited to launch Seacoast Housing Conversations, a new peer-learning series in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension. This initiative is designed to bring together those working on housing challenges and solutions across Seacoast communities.
Housing issues are complex and evolving and stronger regional connections help us respond more effectively. This series will create space for elected officials, planning board members, housing committee and advisory group members, and municipal planners to share challenges, successes, and practical strategies for meeting local housing needs.
We’re offering two ways to participate—join us for one or both:
Option 1: In-Person Networking & Discussion
📅 Thursday, March 5 | 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 Exeter Parks & Recreation Building (10 Hampton Rd, Exeter, NH)
What to expect: Networking, guest speakers, resource sharing, and breakout discussions.
Option 2: Virtual Focus Group
📅 Thursday, March 12 | 6:00–7:00 PM
💻 Online via Zoom
What to expect: A focused, interactive session to gather feedback and shape future events.
Local Updates
Town of Durham, NH: Revitalizing Downtown and "Opening for Business"
After nearly a year of deliberation, the Town of Durham has approved a zoning amendment allowing four-story (50-foot) buildings by right throughout the Central Business-1 District, signaling that the Town is open to smart growth and unlocking new opportunities to build housing close to existing infrastructure, jobs, and services.
At the February 16 Town Council meeting, a full room of engaged community members, including students, business owners, developers, and young professionals, spoke in support of downtown development to expand housing opportunities and strengthen Durham’s business core. Executive Director Emmy Ham spoke at the public hearing on behalf of WHC. Read her remarks here! The amendment passed through a 5-4 vote.
We are grateful to the many housing advocates, Durham residents, and business leaders who joined us in support, and extend a special thank you to our partners at New Hampshire Youth Movement and Strong Towns Seacoast for their partnership and for representing young voices and smart growth across the region.
Be sure to sign up for our Durham Alerts Contact List to be the first to know what’s next in Durham!
City of Portsmouth: Enacting the Region's First Housing Action Plan
The City of Portsmouth has become the first municipality in the region to approve the creation of a Housing Action Plan which will outline measurable steps to help the city meet its housing goals and address current and future challenges.
We applaud the Portsmouth City Council for approving the plan in a unanimous vote and thank our partners at Progress Portsmouth for their leadership and advocacy throughout the proposal process.
Join our Portsmouth Alerts Contact List for updates on local decisions, engagement opportunities, and ways to take action in the future!
Town of Kittery, ME: Supporting Sustainable Development and Smart Growth
On February 5, Kittery’s Housing Committee voted unanimously to advance a zoning amendment to unlock housing in the Business Park Zone, the site of WHC’s 2024 Design Charrette.
If adopted, the update — aligned with recent state law — would allow an underutilized property to become thoughtfully designed housing for Kittery’s workforce.
The proposal now heads to the Planning Board for public review, with a hearing expected in March. Read the full amendment here.
Sign up for our Kittery Alerts Contact List to stay informed and get involved!
Local Elections & Town Meeting Day
Many Greater Seacoast communities will hold Town Meeting and local elections on Tuesday, March 10. From Planning Boards to Town Councils and Selectboards, local officials make key decisions that shape housing in every community.
Voting in municipal elections helps ensure your town’s leadership reflects your priorities. See helpful resources from our partners at 603 Forward:
Other Local News
State Updates
New Hampshire Legislation
Protecting our Housing Champions: The NH House recently advanced HB 1196, a bill to repeal the Housing Champions Program — a key initiative supporting state-local partnerships for housing and infrastructure.
Though only 28 communities participate, Housing Champion municipalities approved 45% of New Hampshire’s new housing units last year, including several on the Seacoast. Read our written testimony to state legislators to hear why we support this program.
The bill is now under review in the Senate Commerce Committee and has faced strong opposition. Governor Ayotte has also expressed reservations for repealing the program.
To stay informed and support pro-housing efforts, subscribe to Housing Action NH’s weekly newsletter for updates and calls to action.
Preserving Recent Regulatory Progress: The NH House also voted on several proposals to roll back recent statewide housing reforms, including laws allowing ADUs by right, permitting multifamily housing in commercial zones, and reducing parking minimums.
Following recommendations from the House Housing Committee, the full legislature voted to reject all repeal efforts, reaffirming support for these housing policies.
The decision also reflects public sentiment: According to a new poll, 87% of NH voters say the state should take action to address housing costs and availability.
Maine Legislation
State Level Coalition Building: Build Homes Build Community is a new Maine-focused coalition representing business owners and housing industry leaders who are struggling to attract and retain workforce, including within communities in the WHC catchment area, like Kittery, York, and the Berwicks.
Last week, the coalition addressed lawmakers to urge support for their 2026 legislative agenda, which includes bills focused in three main areas: Innovate, Streamline, Fund.
Their recently released campaign video showcases why retirees, working families and individuals, business owners, and so many more are joining this coalition.
Other State News
🔗 In need of nurses | NH Business Review
🔗 New Census Data Reveal Gaps in Income, Poverty, and Housing Affordability in New Hampshire | New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute
Research, Reports, and Resources
RESEARCH: Are We Better Off Than 50 Years Ago?
A new research brief from the Urban Institute examines changes in household income across states since the 1970s. The study finds New Hampshire now has the nation’s fourth-highest median income, driven largely by higher educational attainment.
However, the decline of manufacturing and rising costs mean many Granite Staters still struggle to live comfortably.
RESEARCH: Zoning Reform Looks Different Everywhere
Using the National Association of Home Builders’ Zoning Reform Tracker, planner Deborah Myerson finds that while zoning reform is happening nationwide, approaches and impacts vary widely — underscoring the importance of local engagement and tailored approaches.
RESOURCE: Learn How to Build an ADU
North Country Council is hosting an upcoming webinar series on how to finance, permit, and build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), a practical guide for homeowners exploring housing options on their property.
🔗 Register here: Beyond the Front Door Webinar Series
RESOURCE: Low-Cost Housing Policy Solutions
Ivory Innovations at the University of Utah has released a free online guide featuring practical, low-cost housing policy solutions and real-world examples.
🔗 Access here: The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions
Thank You!
Our sustaining funders and coalition members power our work to advance housing solutions, bring together community partners, and build momentum toward a future where everyone who works in our region can also afford to call it home.
To learn more about how you can become a member, renew your membership or otherwise support our work, please email Emmy Ham at director@seacoastwhc.org.
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