Lourey Savick | Oppose HB1336

As clergy appointed by a Bishop to serve in NH, I am provided housing in my parish by denominational law. This may take the form of a parsonage, but more often now it is in the form of a housing allowance. This, and my membership in the Granite State Organizing Project Concord Chapter, puts me in the position to observe exactly how this bill would impact me and my peers were it to pass. Despite having a graduate degree, excellent credit, and steady employment including the rigorous oversight of my denomination for at least fifteen years, I would meet the criteria for the increased deposit. This is because the reality of the rental situation in New Hampshire is that the cost of housing is equal to half my income, and that is true for most people who live in this state. The desire of landlords to limit their risk is understandable, but New Hampshire is not building sufficient affordable or high-density housing to provide options for renters at lower incomes. This bill would make it even more difficult for the people who live here to stay here. It would add to the problem of young people leaving New Hampshire, and it could easily create a problem for landlords who would be expected to return larger deposits or forgo more rent collection at the end of a lease. This bill would make larger deposits the norm, not the exception, because the conditions listed describe the majority of people in the rental market. It would create an overwhelming burden for nonprofits, welfare offices, and community programs working to stabilize housing for public good. How could anyone conscious of the challenges of NH’s economy support this bill? It is out of step with the conditions of living in this country. It contributes to homelessness, the drain of the young and educated from the state, and decreases community resources for addressing crisis and emergency needs and increasing volatility. In practice, this bill would make NH a bad place to rent. I urge you to oppose this bill for the long-term health of this state.