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WHC Newsletter | January 2026

Welcome to the Greater Seacoast Housing Wire!

To receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox, sign up here.


The Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast is a single-issue organization. Our work is grounded in one core goal: ensuring that the people who power our local economies can afford to live in the communities they serve. At the same time, housing outcomes are shaped by a wide range of forces — economic, demographic, and policy-related — and there are moments when acknowledging those connections is essential to understanding the challenges in front of us. This is one of those moments.


Across our region, employers continue to face workforce shortages, communities are grappling with housing scarcity, and local economies are working to remain resilient amid rapid change. Immigrants play a meaningful role in this landscape, contributing across sectors and helping stabilize communities facing demographic and labor pressures. Housing availability, affordability, and stability directly affect whether people can participate fully in the workforce and in civic life.


While immigration policy is not the focus of our organization, its intersection with housing and economic development has become increasingly visible. When housing options are limited, workforce participation suffers. When families feel uncertain or disconnected from community systems, engagement declines. These dynamics reinforce why housing cannot be addressed in isolation and why solutions must be grounded in stability, opportunity, and long-term economic health.


As a housing organization, our role is to keep these connections in view while continuing to advance practical, locally driven solutions that expand housing supply, support workforce needs, and strengthen communities. That work remains at the center of everything we do.


In that spirit, we’re excited to share updates from across the Greater Seacoast and beyond in this month’s newsletter — from local engagement opportunities and zoning conversations to state-level legislative developments, new research, and resources to help communities move forward. We’re also thrilled to share a milestone for our organization, including news about our new office location in Downtown Portsmouth.


As always, thank you for being part of this work with us.

Coalition Updates

We've Moved to Portsmouth!


We’re excited to share that we’ve moved to a new office in Downtown Portsmouth! Our new address is 500 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801, in the same building as the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth. Please update your contact information and come say hello!

Local Updates

Upcoming Local Housing Decisions

Portsmouth: Advocate for Housing Choice in the Master Plan Update


The City of Portsmouth is kicking off an update to its Master Plan, the document that will guide local decision-making for the next decade.


This is a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of the city, and we know housing is top of mind for many of you. It’s especially important for renters, young people, and members of the workforce to participate, as these voices are often underrepresented in long-range planning efforts.


If you’re looking for a simple way to get involved and make your voice heard, take a few minutes to complete this survey and sign up for updates on upcoming engagement opportunities.

Kittery: Support Sustainable Development & Smart Growth


The Town of Kittery’s Housing Committee is nearing completion of a new zoning amendment for the Business Park zone, the site of a Workforce Housing Coalition Design Charrette in 2024.


If adopted, this updated zoning—working in tandem with recent state law—would allow a currently underutilized property to be converted into thoughtfully designed housing that is urgently needed for Kittery’s workforce.


The ordinance will enter a public review process in the coming months. To stay informed and receive updates as this moves forward, sign up for our community contact list here.

Durham: "Raise" Awareness on Downtown Density


In the Town of Durham, elected officials are considering a proposed increase to the height limit in the Downtown District.


This zoning change would not only support local businesses, but also make it possible to build housing downtown, close to existing infrastructure, jobs, and services.


The Town Council is expected to discuss this amendment at its February 2 and February 16 meetings, and we’d love to see you there.


For more background, read our letter. To learn how you can engage, sign up for our community contact list.

Seacoast Development Outlooks for 2026


SeacoastOnline recently published development outlooks for municipalities across the region, highlighting local housing trends and upcoming development opportunities. Click the links below to learn what’s happening in and around your community.



State Updates

New Hampshire Updates


New Hampshire's lawmakers are back in Concord, and housing remains a top issue. In fact, nearly 100 bills filed this year are related to housing.


Some proposals aim to advance regulatory reforms or clarify past legislation, while others explore new funding options for affordable housing. A separate set of bills seeks to roll back recent state-level zoning reforms. For a deeper dive into these bills and what they could mean for housing in New Hampshire, read the 2026 Legislative Preview from our friends at Housing Action NH.


We’re also highlighting two bills that deserve extra attention—and that you can take action on right now:


📜 HB1196: Repealing the Housing Champions Program (oppose)


What is the Housing Champions Program? Created through bipartisan consensus under Governor Sununu, the Housing Champions Program helps strengthen state–local partnerships to advance housing and infrastructure projects. Communities of all sizes can participate, earning state recognition and small infrastructure grants by committing to housing solutions. Many Seacoast communities are already Housing Champions.


Has it been successful? Yes. With just over $3 million in grants, the program has helped enable approximately 1,500 new housing units. Although there are only 28 Housing Champion communities statewide, they accounted for 45% of New Hampshire’s housing units approved.


Why is the program at risk? The program was funded in 2023 but not in 2024, leaving no funding available in the current budget cycle. While communities continue to apply in hopes funding is restored, HB 1196 would eliminate the program entirely—removing a proven tool for housing production and weakening state–local collaboration.


How can I learn more and get involved? You can read our state level partner in New Hampshire, Housing Action New Hampshire's statement and additional background on the committee vote here. For action alerts, subscribe to their newsletter.


📜 HB1357: Expanding Affordable Homeownership through Manufactured Housing (support)



What is Manufactured Housing? Manufactured homes (often called mobile homes) are built off-site and placed on a permanent chassis. They can be located on individual lots or in manufactured housing communities.


How are manufactured homes different from stick-built homes? Modern manufactured homes are much more similar to stick-built single-family homes than many assume, with comparable layouts and finishes.


Are manufactured homes more affordable than stick-built homes? Yes. Manufactured homes are generally more affordable than stick-built homes in New Hampshire, making them an important pathway to attainable homeownership and wealth building.


I've heard a lot about manufactured housing over the years. How do I know what is true and what is false? NH Housing offers a short two-video series on modern manufactured housing—watch here. Stay Work Play is also hosting an upcoming webinar on the topic; register here.


What's in HB1357? HB 1357 would allow manufactured homes wherever single-family housing is permitted, increasing access to lower-cost homes and expanding housing supply in existing neighborhoods.


How can I support HB1357? 603 Forward has a pre-written template you can use to email your legislator in support of HB 1357—click here to take action.

Maine Updates


The Maine legislative session is ramping up, with Governor Janet Mills and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau continuing to prioritize proven and innovative housing solutions.


In her January 27 State of the State address, Governor Mills unveiled a new affordability agenda that includes major investments to increase housing supply and preserve existing homes.


How much funding is proposed? The agenda includes $70 million for housing programs statewide.


What programs would be funded? The proposal supports eight programs—five focused on new housing production and three on preserving existing homes. These include the Rural Affordable Rental Program, Affordable Homeownership Program, Community Aging in Place Program, and pilot initiatives through MaineHousing.


Why does this matter? Investing in a mix of housing programs helps boost supply, support below-market options, and ensure communities across Maine benefit—not just one housing type or region.


How can I follow along? For the latest updates, follow our state level partner in Maine, the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition. You can access their bill tracking spreadsheet here. For real-time bill updates this session, click here.

Research, Reports, and Resources

REPORT: Why America stopped building the 'starter home'


This report from The Washington Post outlines the history of the starter home in the United States, what a starter home is, and why it seems to be in decline. The researchers find that even as household sizes are getting smaller on average, the "average" home is getting bigger and bigger.


RESEARCH: "We Are Not as Wealthy as We Thought We Were": Elevated American Household Net Worth Reflects Poverty, Not Wealth


Recent research from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University is analyzing the relationship between home prices and real wealth. Over time, they find that even though home values have risen, wages are moving much slower, creating a false reality that we are more wealthy than we think.


RESOURCE: Trends in Housing Permitting and Innovative Zoning from the Office of Planning and Development at NH BEA


In their monthly PLAN webinar, the Office of Planning and Development provided an overview of the housing trends and data from the entirety of 2025. They go into detail about which communities are building most and how that has changed over time, before highlighting Newmarket's successes in housing innovation.


🔗 Access the slides here: PowerPoint Presentation

RESOURCE: Beyond the Front Door: How to Finance, Permit, and Build an Accessory Dwelling Unit on Your Property


This upcoming webinar series from North Country Council is a great opportunity to learn more about ADUs, and what it really looks like to finance and build one on your property.


RESOURCE: The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions


Ivory Innovations at University of Utah has recently released an online book filled with policy suggestions and examples to make the most impact on housing matters for low cost. It's a free and quick way to learn a lot about realistic 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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