New Case Studies Report Highlights NH Communities Tackling Housing Challenges

New Case Studies Showcase How NH Communities Are Tackling Housing Challenges Through Innovation

February 7, 2025

New Hampshire Housing has released a new set of case studies highlighting how eleven New Hampshire Communities — Bethlehem, Berlin, Canterbury, Gorham, Keene, Lancaster, Newmarket, Plymouth, Sandwich, Sugar Hill, and Wilmot —are addressing housing challenges through zoning reforms, community-driven planning, and innovative housing solutions.

The Housing Opportunity Planning Grant Program: Selected Case Studies report explores how these communities leveraged funding from the Governor’s $100 million InvestNH initiative to implement incremental and innovative changes, addressing the pressing housing challenges in the Granite State.

Each case study provides real-world examples of how municipalities can respond to housing needs:

• Keene created a Cottage Court Overlay District, encouraging compact, pedestrian-friendly housing.

• Bethlehem successfully passed zoning amendments, including updates related to accessory dwelling units, cottage cluster developments, and increasing density in certain zones. These changes followed extensive community engagement through workshops and public meetings.

• Canterbury adopted a cluster ordinance and “farmstead design alternative” to provide more flexibility in the planning board review process and offer design incentives to protect the town’s historic and rural character and to preserve open space.

These case studies offer actionable insights for policymakers, planners, and local officials working to address housing shortages in their own communities. In addition to highlighting successful strategies, the report also includes lessons learned and best practices for implementing similar initiatives.

“We are incredibly proud of the work these communities have done with the support of the HOP grants,” said George Reagan, NH Housing’s Director of Community Engagement. “Their dedication and innovative approaches are truly inspiring and demonstrate the power of community-driven solutions in tackling housing challenges statewide.”

The full report is now available for download on NH Housing’s website. Municipal leaders, planners, and housing advocates are encouraged to explore these case studies and apply the insights to their own housing initiatives.

The InvestNH initiative was funded through the State’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), making $100 million available to accelerate the approval and construction of affordable workforce housing in New Hampshire. The Municipal Planning and Zoning Grants Program was administered with the support of a steering committee made up of individuals from the Office of Planning and Development at the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, the NH Municipal Association, the Community Development Finance Authority, Plan NH, and UNH Cooperative Extension.

About New Hampshire Housing: New Hampshire Housing is a self-supporting public corporation that promotes, finances, and supports housing solutions for the people of New Hampshire. We have helped more than 55,000 families purchase their own homes and have been instrumental in financing the creation of more than 16,000 multifamily housing units.  

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