David Preece | Oppose HB1196

Dear Members of the House Housing Committee, I write in strong opposition to HB 1196, which repeals the Housing Champion designation. This bill moves New Hampshire in exactly the wrong direction at a time when our state faces a profound and worsening housing shortage. The Housing Champion designation is not a mandate. It does not force zoning changes, strip local authority, or impose one-size-fits-all development. Instead, it recognizes and incentivizes municipalities that voluntarily choose to modernize their land-use regulations to allow more housing options—housing that working families, seniors, young professionals, and employers desperately need. Repealing this designation sends a clear and damaging message: that New Hampshire is willing to abandon even modest, voluntary tools that support housing production and reward local leadership. At a moment when: • Employers cannot attract workers because housing is unavailable or unaffordable • Young families are being priced out of the communities they grew up in • Seniors cannot downsize and remain in their towns • Municipal budgets are strained by sprawl rather than strengthened by smart growth HB 1196 removes one of the few constructive, locally driven mechanisms the state has adopted to address these challenges. The Housing Champion program respects local control while encouraging best practices. It recognizes that communities willing to permit accessory dwelling units, smaller lots, multi-family housing in appropriate areas, or mixed-use development are helping solve a statewide crisis. Repeal does nothing to increase housing supply, lower costs, or protect taxpayers. It simply eliminates a positive signal from the state that housing solutions matter. This bill also undermines predictability and trust. Municipalities that acted in good faith—engaging residents, updating zoning, and planning for growth—did so with the understanding that the state would stand behind its own policies. Repealing the program midstream penalizes responsible planning and discourages future participation in state-local partnerships. New Hampshire cannot cut its way out of a housing crisis. Nor can it posture its way out. We need policies that are practical, voluntary, and respectful of local decision-making—exactly what the Housing Champion designation represents. For these reasons, I urge the committee to vote ITL on HB 1196 and reaffirm that New Hampshire is serious about addressing housing affordability, workforce stability, and municipal sustainability. Respectfully, David John Preece State Representative, Hillsborough District 17