The proposed bill, known as the "Afford Your Home Act," aims to enhance the qualifications for the New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation by including the adoption of land use regulations that facilitate the establishment of child care centers near commercial areas. Specifically, it introduces a new subparagraph to RSA 12-O:71, III, which allows for the operation of child care centers by right on commercially zoned land, provided that all relevant health and human services regulations are met. This change is intended to promote child care accessibility in relation to employment opportunities.

In addition to the designation expansion, the bill allocates significant funding to support housing initiatives. It appropriates $5,000,000 to the Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program Fund and $10,000,000 to the Affordable Housing Fund, both for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. These appropriations are nonlapsing and aim to provide financing or state matching funds for affordable housing projects. The bill is expected to have an indeterminable impact on municipal revenues and expenditures as local entities may benefit from these funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-O:71
SB419 text: 12-O:71