The bill establishes the "Partners in Housing" program under the housing champions fund, designed to assist municipalities, counties, and developers in constructing workforce housing on municipally or county-owned land. This includes single-family starter homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings, with a focus on properties deemed suitable for residential use. The program allows for expedited review and approval of housing projects that meet specific criteria. Notable amendments to existing laws include changing the term "selectmen" to "select board" and granting the select board the authority to manage town property, including leasing municipal property for up to five years without requiring further town votes. Furthermore, the bill appropriates $150,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, to compile a publicly available list of suitable properties for residential development, with funding non-lapsing until June 30, 2027. The bill mandates rulemaking pursuant to RSA 541-A by December 1, 2026 and outlines responsibilities for program development and oversight, as well as processing and evaluating property submissions and funding applications. Participation in the program is voluntary for counties, and while costs for municipalities to identify suitable properties are expected to be minimal, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs will require additional funding to fully manage the Partners in Housing Program.

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