"Lawmakers pass sweeping zoning reform bills, but some say housing funding is lacking"

"As they consider laws to encourage more housing this year, New Hampshire lawmakers have so far been more interested in the stick than the carrot. 

The Legislature has pushed forward a number of bills intended to overhaul zoning procedures that housing advocates say impede badly needed development. Some bills, such as ones to help expand accessory dwelling units and allow for “mixed-use” developments in commercial zones, represent the biggest state-driven changes to zoning laws in years.

But lawmakers are less focused on another policy tool: financial incentives. In its version of the budget, the House has stripped out funding for a program designed to encourage cities and towns to voluntarily change their zoning codes to be more housing friendly.

Now, pro-housing groups are pushing the Senate to restore at least some of that funding, arguing the zoning changes are only one piece of the puzzle. And the New Hampshire Municipal Association — which broadly opposes any bills that would override local zoning codes — argues financial incentives for towns should be the state’s sole approach. 

The Senate Finance Committee has an opportunity this month to dramatically reverse some of the House’s cuts. The Senate has already passed independent bills that together include $90 million of spending on housing — all of which could be added into the budget if desired." Read more