The proposed bill establishes the "partners in housing" program under the housing champions fund, aimed at aiding municipalities, counties, and developers in constructing workforce housing, such as single-family starter homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings on municipally or county-owned land suitable for residential development. It amends existing laws by changing the term "selectmen" to "select board" in RSA 41:11-a, granting the select board the authority to manage town property, including the ability to rent or lease municipal property for up to five years without further town vote. The planning board is also empowered to designate properties for residential development and maintain a publicly available list of such properties.

The bill appropriates $150,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, to support the compilation of properties suitable for residential development, with funds available until June 30, 2027. Additionally, it allocates $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with $2,000,000 specifically for the partners in housing program, which prioritizes properties identified for residential development and provides funding to developers who commit to making at least 20% of housing units affordable for a minimum of 20 years. Participation in the program is voluntary for counties and municipalities, and while the costs of creating and maintaining the list of properties and modifying zoning regulations are expected to be minimal, the potential revenue from grants awarded to municipalities remains uncertain. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs has indicated that the current appropriation for program administration is insufficient, estimating a total cost of approximately $1,041,915 for fiscal years 2026-2027, although the bill does not authorize any new positions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41:11-a, 674:1, 12-O:55, 12-O:74, 674:43
As Amended by the House: 41:11-a, 674:1, 12-O:55, 674:43