CHAPTER Bea 500  HOUSING CHAMPION PROGRAM

 

Statutory Authority: RSA 12-O:75

 

PART Bea 501  PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY

 

          Bea 501.01  Purpose.  The purpose of this chapter is to implement the New Hampshire housing champion (HC) designation and grant program established pursuant to RSA 12-O:71 -75.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 501.02  Applicability.  The rules of this chapter shall apply to any municipality who applies for a HC designation, a housing planning and regulation municipal grant, a housing production municipal grant, or a housing infrastructure municipal grant or loan.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 502  DEFINITIONS

 

          Bea 502.01  “Accessory dwelling unit” (ADU) means “accessory dwelling unit” as defined in RSA 674:71, namely, “a residential living unit that is within or attached to a single-family dwelling, and that provides independent living facilities for one or more persons, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel of land as the principal dwelling unit it accompanies.” This term includes “detached accessory dwelling units” as described in RSA 674:73.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.02  Advisory committee” means the New Hampshire HC designation program advisory committee.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.03  “Age-friendly housing” means a housing unit which contains features which makes it attractive for occupancy by people in a range of life stages from young children to seniors including single-level living.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.04  “Age-restricted housing” means “housing for older persons” as defined in RSA 354-A:15, VIII(a).

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.05  “Area median income” means the median income of the greater region, either the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) metropolitan or non-metropolitan fair market rent area to which the municipality belongs, as is established and updated annually by HUD.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.06  “Building permit” means a document issued by the state or by a local municipality, other than a zoning permit or land use permit, granting permission to a building owner or builder to construct or renovate a building, building component, or structure within the state or municipality.

 

          Bea 502.07  “Capital improvement program (CIP)” means the plan of proposed spending for capital items based on projects of municipality needs, fiscal capability, and demand for services, as permitted in RSA 674:5.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.08  “Certificate of occupancy” means a document issued by a local municipality or the state, upon the satisfactory completion of required inspections, granting permission to occupy the building for its intended use.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.09  “Change of use permit” means a permit which allows for changing of a use of a building or structure and is intended to verify compliance with the applicable codes for a new use and provide a certificate of occupancy for new uses where there is no significant work that would otherwise require a building permit.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.10  “Community water system” means “community water system” as defined in RSA 485:1-a, I, namely, “a public water system which serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.11  “Complete street” means a roadway designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users, which include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are travelling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.12  “Cottage courts” means a type of missing middle housing that are a grouping of small, detached structures clustered around a shared common area, and developed with a plan for the entire site, including having the unit entrances facing the shared common area.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.13  “Deed restricted” means housing which has a deed rider and is subject to a long-term affordability covenant of no less than 10 years with a provision for municipal or third-party monitoring which ensures the affordability of the units for a prescribed amount of time and ensures that the occupants of the housing income qualify to live in the housing units.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.14  “Department” means the department of business and economic affairs (BEA).

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.15  “Designation applicant” means the municipality applying for a HC designation.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.16  “Drinking water” means water from ground or surface sources which has been treated in accordance with the requirements of the federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act and is safe for human consumption.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.17  “Duplex” means a building divided into 2 housing units.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.18  "Dwelling unit'' means “dwelling unit” as defined in RSA 153:1, III, namely, “a single unit providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.19  “Equipment” means tangible personal property, including information technology systems, having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by a municipality for financial statement purposes, or $5,000.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.20  “Fire suppression system” means a system which is used to extinguish, control, or in some cases, entirely prevent fires from spreading or occurring and includes, but are not limited to fire sprinkler heads, water piping networks, standpipes, and smoke alarms.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.21  “Grant applicant” means the municipality applying for a housing planning and regulation municipal grant, a housing production municipal grant, or a housing infrastructure municipal grant.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.22  “Grantee” means a municipality that has been awarded a housing planning and regulation municipal grant, a housing production municipal grant, or a housing infrastructure municipal grant.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.23  “Household” means one person, a family, or a group of persons who could be related by blood, marriage, or adoption and who occupy a single housing unit.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.24  “Housing infrastructure” means any infrastructure that supports housing including but not limited to new construction or capacity increases for drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, highway infrastructure, telecommunications, and electrical distribution infrastructure.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.25  “Housing unit” means “dwelling unit.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.26  “Income” means all wages and salaries, interest, social security, pensions, net business income, rental income, transfer, welfare payments, veterans’ benefits, education assistance, and alimony received, but not alimony paid, to adults living in the same family or household.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.27  “Land use regulations and ordinances” means rules regulating how land might be used, including, but is not limited to, zoning ordinances adopted pursuant to RSA 674:16, innovative land use controls adopted pursuant to RSA 674:21, subdivision regulations adopted pursuant to RSA 674:35, and site plan regulations adopted pursuant to RSA 674:43.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.28  “Lendee” means a municipality that has been awarded a housing infrastructure loan.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.29  “Loan applicant” means a municipality that is applying for a housing infrastructure loan.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.30  “Local land use board” means “local land use board” as defined in RSA 672:7, namely “a planning board, historic district commission, inspector of buildings, building code board of appeals, zoning board of adjustment, or other board or commission authorized under RSA 673 established by a local legislative body.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.31  “Local governing body” means “local governing body” as defined in RSA 672:6, namely, “in addition to any other appropriate title:

 

I.  Board of selectmen in a town;

 

II.  City council or board of aldermen in a city;

 

III.  Village district commissioners in a village district; or

 

IV.  County commissioners in a county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.32  “Lot” means “lot” as defined in RSA 674:24, namely, “a parcel of land at least sufficient in size to meet the minimum requirements for use, coverage and area and to provide required yards and other open spaces. An undersize lot is permissible if it passes state standards for soil conditions and substantially meets the requirements here and if in existence on the date of adoption of this ordinance.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.33  “Master plan” means a planning document developed in accordance with RSA 674:1 to RSA 674:4 that establishes the vision and land use and development principles for the municipality.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.34  “Missing middle housing ordinance” means a standalone ordinance or section in a zoning ordinance that allows for a diverse range of house types including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and other multi-family housing typically with between 2 and 8 housing units per structure, or more in higher density locations.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.35  “Multi-family housing” means “multi-family housing” as defined in RSA 674:58, II, namely, “a building or structure containing 5 or more dwelling units, each designed for occupancy by an individual household.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.36  “Municipal grants” refers collectively to all grants created pursuant to the HC designation and grant program, pursuant to RSA 12-O:69 through RSA 12-O:74.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.37  "Municipality" means ''municipality" as defined in RSA 672:10, namely "cities, towns, village districts, and counties in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places."

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.38  “Other land use regulation or ordinance” means a land use regulation or ordinance adopted by a municipality pursuant to RSA Title LXIV which the department has determined promotes the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state. Such land use regulation and ordinances can include, but are not limited to those which provide:

 

          (a)  A streamlined permitting or approval process, including online submission of applications;

 

          (b)  Relief for meeting certain dimensional requirements including front, side, and rear setbacks, frontage, and height in exchange for the development of workforce housing;

 

          (c)  The elimination of a cap on the number of dwelling units per structure;

 

          (d)  Promotion of homes affordable up to 120 percent of AMI; or

 

          (e)  Removal of change of use permit requirements for the conversion of existing buildings and structures to residential use

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.39  “Other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state” means any type of housing that is suitable for year-round occupancy and is intended for non-transient occupancy.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.40  “Planned unit development” (PUD) means a residential development of single-family or multi-family dwellings in conjunction with rental, condominium, cooperative or town house properties with at least the following characteristics:

 

          (a)  A homeowner association that holds either title in fee or a lease of prescribed length on the common area;

 

          (b)  Mandatory membership of all unit owners, or units, in the association;

 

          (c)  The right of all unit owners to participate by vote in the operation of the association; and

 

          (d)  Lien supported assessment of the members to meet the association's budgeted operating costs, but special assessments may be handled differently.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.41  “Planning board” means “planning board” as defined in RSA 672:11, namely, a “city, town, village district, and county planning board, in counties which contain unincorporated towns or unorganized places, established under the provisions of RSA 673.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.42  “Property” means real property or personal property.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.43  “Public water system" means “public water system” as defined in RSA 485:1-a, XV, namely, “a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such a system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.44  “Quadplex” means a building that contains 4 housing units.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.4544  “Qualified third-party provider” means a provider that meets the qualification established by the department.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.46  “Real property” means land, including land improvements, structures, and appurtenances thereto, but excludes moveable machinery and equipment.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.47  “Residential use” means lands, buildings, or structures or portions thereof used, or designed or intended for use as a home or residence of one or more individuals, and includes a single detached dwelling, a semi-detached dwelling, a multiple-unit dwelling, an apartment dwelling, or the residential portion of a mixed-use building or structure.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.48  “Sewerage” means a system of pipes, pumping facilities, and appurtenances for the collection and conveyance of sewage and liquid wastes.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.49  “Sidewalk” means “sidewalk” as defined in RSA 259:100, namely, “a path, usually paved, reserved by custom for the use of pedestrians, which are within the compact part of a city, village or district. It shall not include crosswalks, nor footpaths outside the compact part of towns and cities that are worn only by travel and not improved by towns or cities or the abutters, nor any paths or walks that are built for the exclusive use of bicyclists.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.50  “Subdivision” means “subdivision” as defined in RSA 672:14, namely, “the division of the lot, tract, or parcel of land into 2 or more lots, plats, sites, or other division of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, rent, lease, condominium conveyance, or building development. It includes re-subdivision and, when appropriate to the context, related to the process of subdividing or to the land or territory subdivided.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.51  “Supply” means tangible personal property, other than that which is described as “equipment,” with a useful life of less than one year or a value of the lesser of $5,000 or the municipality’s capitalization level for financial statement purposes.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.52  “Triplex” means a building with 3 housing units.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.53 “Wastewater treatment plant” means “wastewater treatment plant,” as defined in RSA 485-A:2, XVI-a, namely “the treatment facility or group of treatment devices which treats domestic or combined domestic and industrial wastewater through alteration, alone or in combination, of the physical, chemical, or bacteriological quality of the wastewater and which dewaters and handles sludge removed from the wastewater.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.54  “Workforce housing” means “workforce housing” as defined in RSA 674:58, namely “housing which is intended for sale and which is affordable to a household with an income of no more than 100 percent of the median income for a 4-person household for the metropolitan area or county in which the housing is located as published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. ‘Workforce housing’ also means rental housing which is affordable to a household with an income of no more than 60 percent of the median income for a 3-person household for the metropolitan area or county in which the housing is located as published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing developments that exclude minor children from more than 20 percent of the units, or in which more than 50 percent of the dwelling units have fewer than 2 bedrooms, shall not constitute workforce housing.”

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.55  “Workforce housing ordinance” means a standalone ordinance or section in a zoning ordinance which allows for the development of workforce housing which complies with RSA 674:58-61.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.56  “Zoning ordinances” means an ordinance, whether newly enacted or amended, which divides a municipality into zones where different land uses are permitted and regulates different land uses, which complies with RSA 674:16 through RSA 674:18.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 502.57  “Zoning permit” means a permit issued by a local municipality pursuant to the applicable provisions of RSA 674:16 through RSA 674:23.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 503  PROGRAM ROLES

 

          Bea 503.01  Department Roles.  The HC designation and grant program shall be administered by the department, such as utilizing staff in authorized positions, contingent upon availability of funding, including the following roles with the accompanying responsibilities:

 

          (a)  An administrator II, whose responsibilities shall include:

 

(1)  Developing program policies aimed at accelerating the implementation of programs and funding available to support the housing market in the state of New Hampshire;

 

(2)  Overseeing strategic goals of the program, collaborate with mission partners, and oversee quality assurance for the programs; and

 

(3)  Providing management and supervision to other members of the HC designation and grant team;

 

          (b)  A program specialist IV whose responsibilities shall include: 

 

(1)  Supporting, evaluating, planning, and developing policies and procedures related to the HC designation program and the municipal grant programs; 

 

(2)  Participation and assistance with all program administration activities, including, but not limited to, the development and promotion of program materials; and

 

(3)  The development of proposals and applications for further funding sources, and review and scoring of applications; and

 

          (c)  A principal planner whose responsibilities include:

 

(1)  Analyzing and interpreting planning policies and procedures and monitoring the design and implementation of various programs and projects under the HC designation program and municipal grant programs;

 

(2)  Providing professional and technical assistance to all stakeholders, monitoring, and coordinating the gathering and reporting of data; and

 

(3)  Identifying program priorities based on municipality needs.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 503.02  Role of the Program Advisory Committee.

 

          (a)  The advisory committee established by the department pursuant to RSA 12-O:76 shall review and make recommendations on any proposed rules for the HC designation program and the municipal grant programs.

 

          (b)  The advisory committee shall also review and provide feedback on program guidance, or amendments to rules before implementation of those changes.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 504  NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSING CHAMPION DESIGNATION

 

          Bea 504.01  HC Designation Principles.  Each HC designation applicant shall demonstrate dedication to encouraging and establishing workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.02  Eligibility for HC Designation.

 

          (a)  Municipalities within the state of New Hampshire shall be eligible to apply for HC designation.

 

          (b)  Participation in the New Hampshire HC designation program shall be voluntary. Each municipality has the option, in its sole discretion, to apply to the department to receive the New Hampshire HC designation.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.03  Benefits of HC Designation.  Municipalities with an active HC designation shall receive the following benefits:

 

          (a)  Preferential access to state resources including, but not limited to, discretionary state infrastructure funds, as available; and

 

          (b)  Eligibility for the housing production municipal grant program and the housing infrastructure municipal grant and loan program.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.04  Scoring of HC Designation Applications.  A municipality shall achieve a minimum total of 80 points in order to qualify for the HC designation. Points shall be awarded in 6 categories, with the following categories in (a) through (d) being required:

 

          (a)  Adoption of land use regulations and ordinances;

 

          (b)  Training of planning board and zoning board members;

 

          (c)  Implementation of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades;

 

          (d)  Implementation of walkability infrastructure upgrades; 

 

          (e)  Adoption of financial tools that incentivize the building of workforce housing; and

 

          (f)  Other activities supporting the HC designation.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.05  Qualification Based on Adoption of Land Use Regulations.

 

          (a)  Designation applicants shall receive points for the adoption of land use regulations and ordinances in order to qualify for HC designation.

 

          (b)  A municipality shall receive a minimum of 10 points and a maximum of 40, based on its adoption of land use regulations and ordinances which the department determines are necessary to promote the development of workforce housing and other forms of housing necessary for the economic development of the state. To receive points for adopting or adopted regulations and ordinances satisfying the requirements RSA 674:59 and 10 points for up to 4 of the land use regulation and ordinance identified in 504.05(k), a municipality shall provide a copy of the relevant sections of the land use regulations and ordinances which demonstrate they have met the minimum standards.

 

          (c)  Municipalities incorporated under RSA 49-C or RSA 49-D, shall demonstrate the following requirements:

 

(1)  That they meet the requirements of RSA 674:59 relative to workforce housing; and

 

(2)  That they adopted at least one of the eligible land use regulations and ordinances outlined in Bea 504.05(k), which shall meet the minimum standards listed in the rules to be eligible for the HC designation.

 

          (d)  Municipalities which have not adopted a zoning ordinance pursuant to RSA 674:16, but do not otherwise bar the development of workforce housing, or in fact encourage it, may be deemed to have met the criteria for scoring based on adoption of land use regulations and receive the maximum score of 40 points. The department shall evaluate such circumstances and make a determination as to whether that municipality’s lack of zoning, or existing regulatory environment, achieves the spirit and purpose of the HC designation as it pertains to the land use regulation criteria.

 

          (e)  Applicants shall receive a maximum of 10 bonus points if they have 5 or more qualifying land use regulations and ordinances.

 

          (f)  Bonus points shall be available to smaller communities. A maximum of 15 bonus points shall be awarded to municipalities with 10,000 or fewer residents as of the most recent decennial census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. These additional bonus points shall be inclusive of the 10 bonus points outlined above for qualifying land use regulations and ordinances, as no applicant can receive more than 15 bonus points from this qualifying category.

 

          (g)  When evaluating a municipality’s application for HC designation, the department shall review the text of all ordinances for which the applicant municipality seeks points and shall award points only if the ordinance meets the established minimum criteria and is consistent with the purposes of the HC designation. 

 

          (h)  A municipality may substitute up to 2 other land use regulations or ordinances, including innovative land use controls adopted pursuant to RSA 674:21, which promote the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state, that are not included in the list of qualifying ordinances for an HC designation application round for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of this section.  The municipality shall provide the department any substituted land use regulations or ordinances including supporting information demonstrating said substitute land use regulation or ordinance positively impacts the development of housing. Substituted land use regulations or ordinances which demonstrate a positive impact on housing development shall be valued at 10 points, unless the criteria cap or maximum has been reached.

 

          (i)  The department shall make additional bonus points available based on department priorities and best practices.

 

          (j)  The department shall review the preliminary list of qualifying regulations and ordinances in Bea 504.05(k), prior to each HC designation application round.  As noted in Bea 504.05(b), each regulation or ordinance is valued at 10 points, up to the maximum point total applicable to a municipality’s HC designation application.

 

          (k)  The list of qualified ordinances shall be as follows:

 

(1)  A workforce housing ordinance shall:

 

a.  Allow for the development of multi-family workforce housing including rental housing containing 5 or more dwelling units as defined in RSA 674:58, II as a matter of right in a majority of the land area that is zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality;

 

b.  Not place requirements on minimum lot size and other dimensional requirements including height and parking requirements that are more restrictive than for other types of allowed residential uses; and

 

c.  Contain provisions which require the workforce housing units be subject to a deed restriction as defined in Bea 502.13, requiring a long-term affordability covenant of no less than 10 years with a provision for municipal or third-party monitoring;

 

          (1)  An accessory dwelling unit ordinance shall:

 

a.  Allow at least one attached ADU as a matter of right in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings;

 

b.  Allow detached ADUs as a matter of right, by conditional use permit pursuant to RSA 674:21, or by special exception pursuant to RSA 674:33, IV, in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings;

 

c.  Not require more than one off-street parking space per ADU; and

 

d.  Comply with the requirements of RSA 674:72;

 

          (m)  A cluster development ordinance, also known as an open space residential development ordinance or a conservation subdivision ordinance, shall:

 

a.  Allow for cluster developments as a matter of right in a majority of the land area that is zoned to permit residential use within the municipality;

 

b.  Provide a density bonus which allows for at least a 20 percent density bonus above the total number of units allowed in a conventional subdivision in exchange for protecting more than the minimum amount of open space as required by the cluster development ordinance; and

 

c.  Have a density formula or yield plan which allows for the applicant to determine the maximum number of homes that could be built under the cluster development ordinance at a design review phase conducted pursuant to RSA 676:4, II(b);

 

(1)  A form-based code shall allow:

 

a.  A diverse range of house types;

 

b.  A minimum of 5 dwelling units per building; and

 

c.  The adaptive reuse of existing buildings into residential buildings in downtown and village centers or other areas where there is an existing concentration of development as outlined in a municipality’s master plan by a matter of right;

 

(2)  An inclusionary zoning ordinance shall:

 

a.  Require that an economically viable percentage of the total number of housing units shall be workforce housing that is deed-restricted, but no less than 10 percent of the units for 10-plus unit developments; and

 

b.  The voluntary commitment of the property owner to provide deed-restricted workforce housing shall result in the property owner receiving a minimum 20 percent density bonus above the base density permitted in the zoning district or an allowance to build an extra story of housing;

 

(3)  A manufactured housing ordinance shall, in accordance with RSA 674:32, I:

 

a.  Allow manufactured housing as defined in RSA 674:31 and RSA 205-A:1, I on individual lots in most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality, with parking and density requirements no more restrictive than for other residential uses allowed in such districts; or

 

b.  Provide:

 

i.  Reasonable and realistic opportunities for manufactured housing parks as defined in RSA 205-A:1, II in most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality, with parking and density requirements no more restrictive than for other residential uses allowed in such districts; and

 

ii.  Reasonable and realistic opportunities for manufactured housing subdivisions in a majority of the land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality with parking and density requirements no more restrictive than for other residential uses allowed in such districts;

 

(4)  A missing middle housing ordinance shall allow as a matter of right in a majority of the land area that is zoned to permit residential uses that allow structures which contain as few as 2 housing units per structure and as many as 8 housing units per structure. Municipalities which enable higher density may allow for more than 8 units per structure as part of their missing middle housing ordinance;

(5)  A mixed-use zoning ordinance shall:

 

a.  Provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, and retail uses in the same building or on the same lot as a matter of right;

 

b.  Allow multi-family housing containing 5 or more dwelling units as defined in RSA 674:58, II as a matter of right for new developments in the mixed-use zoning district; and

 

c.  Allow the conversion of space in existing buildings or structure to residential use as a matter of right in the mixed-use zoning district without the need for a change of use permit;

 

(6)  A multi-family housing zoning ordinance shall:

 

a.  Allow multi-family housing that is not age-restricted housing as a matter of right in either all zoning districts that encourage higher-density mixed-use development or all multi-family base or overlay zoning districts; and

 

b.  Not place a restriction on the number of housing units in a multi-family building or structure that meets the definition of multi-family housing;

 

(7)  A planned unit development ordinance shall allow PUD as a matter of right in either a planned unit development base or overlay zoning districts or other zoning district that encourages higher-density mixed-use development, missing middle housing enabling zones, cluster development enabling zones, multi-family enabling zones, or in most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality;

 

(8)  A zoning ordinance shall require minimum lot sizes for residential uses in most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality that are:  

 

a.  No greater than 43,560 square feet or one acre for lots with the best soil types and no slope if a majority of the lots in the zoning district do not have access to public water or sewer;

 

b.  No greater than 10,890 square feet or ¼ of an acre if a majority of the lots in the zoning district have access to public water and sewer; or

 

c.  No greater than 21,780 square feet or ½ of an acre if a majority of the lots in the zoning district have access to public water or sewer;

 

(9)  A zoning ordinance shall in most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality:

 

a.  Allow as a matter of right dwelling units that are as small as 220 square feet as long as they meet all requirements of the state fire code, RSA 153 and the state building code, RSA 155-A; and

 

b.  Not place any limitations on the construction of tiny houses on foundations that are 400 square feet or less that meet the requirements of IRC Appendix Q as included in the state building code, RSA 155-A;

 

(10)  In most land areas in districts zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality, the zoning ordinance, site plan review regulation, subdivision regulation, or innovative land use control shall not require more than one off-street parking space for any housing unit; and

 

(11)  A transfer of development rights ordinance shall:

 

a.  Designate sending and receiving zones;

 

b.  Include a formula or mechanism to purchase additional density in the receiving zone, with resulting funds dedicated to an affordable housing fund identified in Bea 504.09(c)(5) or a conservation fund;

 

c.  Include a mechanism for the property owner to sell or donate the development rights to their property; and

 

d.  Include a legal mechanism to ensure that land in the sending zone is conserved.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.06  Qualifications Based on Planning and Zoning Board Training.

 

          (a)  Each applicant shall have a score in this qualification category, and the points awarded under this section shall count towards the total HC designation score, which shall be considered as a factor in the awarding of funding under the housing production municipal grant program detailed in Bea 506 and the housing infrastructure municipal grant program detailed in Bea 507.

 

          (b)  Municipalities shall receive a maximum of 25 points, as outlined below:

 

(1)  Ten points if a municipality has and regularly facilitates its own, or third-party, training sessions with land use board members;

 

(2)  Ten points if a municipality demonstrates that a majority of members of each of its land use boards, inclusive of alternate members, has engaged in at least 2 hours of training during their current term, or such training is part of and was completed in conjunction with initial orientation of its land use board members; and

 

(3)  Five points if a municipality has and regularly distributes training materials for its land use board members.

 

          (c)  The training shall cover the processes, procedures, regulations, and statutes related to the board on which the member serves. The department shall evaluate trainings offered by other entities and shall determine them eligible if they cover these topics. Training that covers these topics and are offered, administered, or facilitated by the department's office of planning and development, the New Hampshire municipal association, a regional planning commission, or the New Hampshire planners association shall be eligible.

 

          (d)  A maximum of 10 additional bonus points shall be awarded if a municipality provides the following certificates for a majority of the members of each of its land use board, inclusive of alternate members:

 

(1)  Five points if a municipality provides evidence that a majority of its planning board members, inclusive of alternates, successfully completed the department’s office of planning and development (OPD) planning board handbook test; and

 

(2)  Five points if a municipality provides evidence that a majority of its zoning board of adjustment members, inclusive of alternates, successfully completed the department’s office of planning and development (OPD) zoning board of adjustment handbook test.

 

          (e)  The department shall make additional bonus points available at its discretion based on department priorities and best practices. Any additional bonus point criteria shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

 

          Bea 504.07  Qualification Based on Sewer and Water Infrastructure Improvements.

 

          (a)  Each applicant shall have a score in this qualification category, and the points awarded under this section shall count towards the total HC designation score.

 

          (b)  Municipalities shall receive a maximum of 25 points for eligible completed, ongoing, or planned projects, which include sewer and water infrastructure improvements that are intended to support the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the statute, as outlined below:   

 

(1)  Completed eligible infrastructure improvements projects shall receive 10 points if they were completed within the 6 calendar years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

(2)  Ongoing investments in eligible infrastructure improvements projects shall receive 10 points if the municipality is amidst the development or construction phases of the project and it will be completed within the next 6 calendar years following the application for HC designation;

 

(3)  Planned eligible infrastructure improvements projects shall receive 5 points if the municipality has completed a formal plan for the project and has an obligation to move forward with and complete the project within 9 years following the application for HC designation. A HC designation renewal application, which occurs every 3 years, shall demonstrate measurable progress of such planned projects; and

 

(4)  Planned eligible infrastructure improvement projects that lack sufficient funding to move forward, and therefore do not currently have an obligation to move forward or complete the project and would also be reliant upon funding in a subsequent HC designee eligible award program shall receive a score of zero points but shall still be considered an eligible project for the purposes of meeting the required HC designation criteria.

 

          (c)  Eligible completed infrastructure projects or improvements shall meet the following criteria, while ongoing and planned projects or improvements shall meet criteria (1) and demonstrate a defined path or plan to achieve criteria (2) through (4), where applicable:

 

(1)  Have been implemented in the 6 calendar years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation, or meet the definition of ongoing or planned projects in section Bea 504.07(b) if an ongoing or planned project or improvement; 

 

(2)  Have received all necessary local approvals and permits;

 

(3)  Have received all necessary approvals and permits from the New Hampshire department of environmental services; and

 

(4)  For sewer infrastructure improvements, increased the number of sewer system residential service connections, or for water infrastructure improvements, increased the number of community water system residential service connections.

 

          (d)  Additional considerations as to whether a project shall be considered planned, include but are not limited to:

(1)  Whether the applicant municipality has a pending application to the New Hampshire department of environmental services for water or wastewater infrastructure funds;

 

(2)  Whether the improvements are under construction;

 

(3)  Whether the applicant municipality has a capital improvement program (CIP) reserve fund which fully funds such improvements under the municipality’s active CIP;

 

(4)  Whether the applicant municipality can demonstrate that it has planned for the installation of sewer or water infrastructure based on its inclusion in the municipality’s active capital improvement program;

 

(5)  Whether the applicant municipality can demonstrate that it has planned for the installation of sewer or water infrastructure based on discussion of such improvements in the municipality’s master plan; and

 

(6)  Whether the applicant municipality has appropriated through its local governing body the municipal engineering costs for the project.

 

          (e)  The department shall review qualifying sewer and water infrastructure investments, listed below, prior to each HC designation application round.

 

          (f)  Qualifying investments when intended to support the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state includes:

 

(1)  Wastewater treatment plant;

 

(2)  Sewerage;

 

(3)  Water treatment plant;

 

(4)  Water distribution system;

 

(5)  Community well;

 

(6)  Interconnection of 2 community water systems;

 

(7)  Interconnection of a community water system to a non-transient non-community water system;

 

(8)  Interconnection of a community water system to a privately owned redistribution system; and

 

(9)  Interconnection of a wastewater treatment plant and sewerage to sewerage in another municipality.

 

          (g)  A maximum of 5 bonus points shall be awarded to applicants that can demonstrate the following:

 

(1)  That the municipality has adequate water and sewer capacity to accommodate a minimum 10 percent increase in its total number of housing units above the total number of housing units reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in the most recent decennial census;

 

(2)  That the municipality has implemented qualifying sewer and water infrastructure improvements in the 6 calendar years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation in or adjacent to infill locations in downtowns, town centers, village centers, and other community center areas as shown on the NH Community Center Area GIS layer on the New Hampshire Geodata Portal accessible at https://www.nhgeodata.unh.edu/datasets/5e007caee50e428d8bb62e31baf6c0de/explore?location=43.596458%2C-71.640395%2C11.93; or

 

(2)  That the eligible water and sewer infrastructure improvement benefits an entire zone or district within that municipality’s land use regulations or zoning map and enables within that zone or district the construction of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state.

 

          (h)  The department shall make additional bonus points available based on department priorities and best practices, and lessons learned from prior application rounds. Any additional bonus point criteria shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.08  Qualifications Based on Public Transportation, Sidewalks, and Walkability Infrastructure Improvements.

 

          (a)  Each applicant shall have a score in this qualifying category, and the points awarded under this section shall count towards the total HC designation score.

 

 

          (b)  Municipalities shall receive a maximum of 10 points for completed, ongoing, or planned implementation of qualifying public transportation projects, which may include sidewalk, or other walkability infrastructure improvements that are intended to support the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the statute, as outlined below:

 

(1)  Completed eligible improvements shall receive 2 points in this program if they were completed within the 6 calendar years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

(2)  Ongoing investments in eligible improvements shall receive 2 points in this program if the municipality is amidst the development or construction phases of the project and it will be completed within the next 6 calendar years following the application for HC designation; and

 

(3)  Planned or future eligible improvements shall receive 2 points in this program if the municipality has completed the planning stage of the project and has an obligation to move forward with and complete the project within 9 years following the application for HC designation. A HC designation renewal application, which occurs every 3 years, shall demonstrate measurable progress of such planned projects.  

 

          (c)  Completed public transportation improvements, sidewalks, or other walkability infrastructure enhancements shall meet the following minimum standards, while ongoing and planned improvements shall meet the conditions outlined in Bea 504.08 (b)(2) and (3) and demonstrate a defined path or plan to achieve the below criteria:

 

(1)  Attain all necessary local approvals and permits;

 

(2)  Attain all necessary approvals and permits from the New Hampshire department of transportation;

 

(3)  Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II, 28 CFR Part 35, and the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design accessible at https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/

 

(4)  Be available for year-round use; and

 

(5)  Provide a direct connection of one mile or less between a residential zoning district of a municipality and a downtown, town center, village center, retail area, commercial area, public school, public transportation, open space, or other amenity or community center area.

 

          (d)  Additional considerations as to whether a project shall be considered planned, include but are not limited to:

 

(1)  Whether the applicant municipality has a pending application to the New Hampshire department of transportation for transportation alternative program funds;

 

(2)  Whether such improvements are under construction;

 

(3)  Whether the applicant municipality has a CIP reserve fund which shall fully fund such improvements under the municipality’s active CIP;

(4)  Whether the applicant municipality has entered into a public-private partnership to undergo specific improvements;

 

(5)  Whether the applicant municipality can demonstrate that it has planned for the installation of public transportation, sidewalks, or other walkability infrastructure based on its inclusion in the municipality’s active CIP;

 

(6)  Whether the applicant municipality can demonstrate that it has planned for the installation of public transportation, sidewalks, or other walkability infrastructure based on discussion of such improvements in the municipality’s master plan; and

 

(7)  Whether the applicant municipality has appropriated through its local governing body the municipal engineering costs for the project.

 

          (e)  The department shall review the qualifications for public transportation, sidewalks, and walkability infrastructure in (f) below, prior to each HC designation application round which shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

 

          (f)  Implementation of public transportation, sidewalks, or other walkability infrastructure shall include the installation or expansion of any of the following:

 

(1)  Fixed route bus service;

 

(2)  Intercity bus service;

 

(3)  On-demand transit services, other than rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft;

 

(4)  Sidewalk;

 

(5)  Complete street;

 

(6)  Shared-use path;

 

(7)  Rail trail;

 

(8)  Recreation trail; and

 

(9) Activities funded under a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

 

          (g)  A maximum of 4 bonus points shall be awarded to applicants that can demonstrate the following:

 

(1)  Whether an applicant municipality has adopted a complete streets policy or program, valued at 2 points; or

 

(2)  Whether an applicant municipality demonstrates that it has implemented qualifying public transportation, sidewalk, or walkability infrastructure in the 6 calendar years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation in or adjacent to infill locations in downtowns, town centers, village centers, and other community center areas as shown on the NH community center area GIS layer on the New Hampshire geodata portal accessible at, https://www.nhgeodata.unh.edu/datasets/5e007caee50e428d8bb62e31baf6c0de/explore, valued at 2 points.

 

          (h)  The department shall make additional bonus points available based on department priorities and best practices and shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.09  Qualifications Based on Financial Tools that Incentivize Workforce Housing Development.

 

          (a)  Adoption of financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing shall not be required for a municipality to receive HC designation. However, the points awarded under this section shall count towards the total HC designation score.

 

          (b)  Applicants may receive a maximum of 10 points based on the adoption of qualifying financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing, with each qualifying financial tool valued at 5 points each.

 

          (c)  Qualifying financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing shall be as follows:

 

(1)  Adoption of community revitalization tax relief incentive, pursuant to  RSA 79-E by the municipality’s local governing body pursuant to RSA 79-E:3 which shall include:

 

a.  Designation of at least one district where RSA 79-E applies in a downtown, town center, central business district, or village center, or, where no such designation has been made, in a geographic area which, as a result of its compact development patterns and uses, is identified by the governing body as the downtown, town center, or village center;

 

b.  Adoption of guidelines which extend the period of tax relief for 2 years if a project results in new residential units pursuant to RSA 79-E:5, II; and

 

c.  Adoption of guidelines which extend the period of tax relief for 4 years if a project includes affordable housing pursuant to RSA 79-E:5, II;

 

(2)  Adoption of municipal revitalization and economic development districts, pursuant RSA 162-K by the municipality’s local governing body which shall include:

 

a.  Establishment of at least one development district pursuant to RSA 162-K:5;

 

b.  Establishment of a development program which includes within its purpose acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving, altering, extending, operating, maintaining, or promoting residential developments aimed at increasing the available housing stock within the municipality pursuant to RSA 162-K:6, III(j);

 

c.  Establishment of a development program which includes within its purpose the acquisition of real property to construct housing units which meet the definition of workforce housing contained in RSA 674:58, IV, whether or not such construction results from private development or private commercial enterprise; and

 

d.  Establishment of a tax increment financing plan pursuant to RSA 162-K:9-10;

 

(3)  Acquisition or sale of real property by the municipality for the development of workforce housing which shall include:

 

a.  Acquisition of land or buildings as enabled by statute, such as through RSA 41:14-a, RSA 80:76, or RSA 162-G, which is intended for the development of workforce housing in the 6 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

b.  Acquisition of state-owned real property which has been declared as surplus by the state pursuant to RSA 4:40, which is intended for the development of workforce housing in the 6 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

c.  Sale of municipally owned land or buildings as enabled by statute, such as through RSA 80:76, RSA 162-G, or RSA 162-K, which is intended for the development of workforce housing in the 6 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation; or

 

d.  The publishing of a request for proposals for the development of workforce housing on municipally owned land in the 6 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

(4)  Adoption of affordable housing revolving fund, pursuant to RSA 31:95-h by the municipality’s local governing body which shall include:

 

a.  The adoption of an affordable housing revolving fund for the purpose of creating affordable housing and facilitating transactions relative thereto pursuant to RSA 31:95-h, I(d);

 

b.  The establishment of such a fund with a restriction that the fund be used for the purchase of land for the development of workforce housing or to offset the cost incurred by a developer for the development of workforce housing and associated infrastructure; or

 

c.  The depositing of revenues from fees, charges, or other income derived from the activities or services supported by the fund, and any other revenues approved by the legislative body for deposit into the fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-h, II during the 5 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation; or

 

(5)  Establishment of a non-capital reserve trust fund by a city pursuant to RSA 34:1-a or establishment of a non-capital reserve trust fund by a town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places pursuant to RSA 35:1-c which shall include:

 

a.  The establishment of a trust fund with the distinctly specific public purpose of providing funding for affordable or workforce housing;

 

b.  The establishment of such fund with a restriction that the fund only be used for the purchase of land for the development of workforce housing or to offset the cost incurred by a developer for the development of workforce housing and associated infrastructure;

 

c.  For a city the appropriation, payment, or transfer of funds approved by the city council pursuant to the limitations on appropriations stated in RSA 34:3, I and RSA 34:4 into the trust fund during the 5 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation; or

 

d.  For a town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places, the appropriation, payment, or transfer of funds approved by a special warrant article pursuant to the limitations on appropriations stated in RSA 35:5 and RSA 35:8 into the trust fund during the 5 years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation.

 

          (d)  The department shall make additional bonus points available based on department priorities and best practices which shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.10  Qualifications Based on Other Activities Which Create or Incentivize Workforce Housing and Other Housing Necessary to the Economic Development of the State.

 

          (a)  Other activities that create or incentivize the development of workforce housing and other housing necessary to the economic development of the state shall not be required for a municipality to receive HC designation. The points awarded under this section shall count towards the total HC designation score.

 

          (b)  Applicants shall receive up to 10 points for implementing activities outlined in Bea 504.10(c), with each qualifying activity valued at 5 points each.

 

          (c)  The department shall review each application, and award points, for the following activities:

 

(1)  Establishment of a housing commission as defined in RSA 674:44-h or appointing members to the housing commission pursuant to RSA 673:4-c; with regular meetings;

 

(2)  Interconnected community water systems primarily for residential use which include the following:

 

a.  Cooperation of the HC designation applicant with an adjacent municipality on the interconnection of community water systems primarily for residential use which may be demonstrated by a legally binding agreement;

 

b.  Construction of interconnection between systems completed no more than 6 years prior to the municipality’s HC designation application; or

 

c.  A fully funded project to interconnect water systems which shall be completed no more than 365 days after the municipality’s HC designation application;

 

(3)  Establishment of a joint municipal development and revitalization district with an adjacent municipality pursuant to RSA 162-K and implementation of a development program pursuant to RSA 162-K:6;

 

(4)  Establishment of a joint agreement with an adjacent municipality pursuant to RSA 53-A for the provision of shared infrastructure or services which supports the development of workforce housing;

 

(5)  Receipt of an InvestNH housing opportunity planning grant or a NH HC designation housing and planning regulation municipal grant;

 

(6)  Construction of units of workforce housing that resulted in a minimum 5 percent increase in its total number of housing units above the total number of housing units reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in the most recent decennial census during the preceding 3 years;

 

(7)  Provide a narrative that supports a municipality’s request for inclusion of activities which create or incentivize workforce housing and other housing necessary to the economic development of the state.

 

          (d)  In addition to other bonus points made available to smaller communities in other qualifying categories, municipalities with populations of 10,000 or fewer people, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau decennial census, who have completed or are in the process of completing  eligible planning and regulatory reform within the housing planning and regulation municipal (HPRM) grant program, the InvestNH-funded housing opportunity planning (HOP), or municipal planning and zoning grant program shall receive the following bonus points:

 

(1)  Ten points toward their initial HC designation application; or

 

(2)  Five points for each additional phase of planning or regulation reform completed or underway during the 3 years preceding the municipality’s HC designation renewal application with a maximum of 10 points.

 

          (e)  The department shall make additional bonus points available based on department priorities and best practices which shall be publicized prior to the commencement of each application round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.11  Application for HC Designation.

 

          (a)  To apply for the HC designation, the applicant shall submit the following information and documentation to the department:

 

(1)  Municipality name;

 

(2)  Municipality unique entity identifier (UEI); 

 

(3)  Municipality tax identification number (TIN);

 

(4)  Municipal contact person name;

 

(5) Municipal contact person title;

 

(6)  Municipal contact person’s email;

 

(7)  Municipal contact person’s phone number;

 

(8)  Type of municipality city, town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated places;

 

(9)  Whether the municipality has adopted a zoning ordinance under RSA 674:18;

 

(10)  Type of local governing body which adopts and amends zoning ordinance city council, town council, town meeting, village district, or county convention;

 

(11)  Population based on the most recent decennial census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau;

 

(12)  A list of land use regulations and ordinances which meet the minimum standards established by this Bea 504.05;

 

(13)  Links to supporting documentation for relevant sections of land use regulations and ordinances;

 

(14)  A list of other land use regulations and ordinances not enumerated in this Bea 504.05 for which the municipality is seeking points;

 

(15)  A narrative for other land use regulations and ordinances not enumerated in the program guidance for which the municipality is seeking points;

 

(16)  A list of land use regulations and ordinances for which the municipality is seeking bonus points;

 

(17)  A supporting narrative for land use regulations and ordinance bonus points;

 

(18)  Documentation for land use regulations and ordinances bonus points;

 

(19)  If a municipality does not have zoning, a detailed narrative justifying how its regulatory framework, or lack thereof, does not bar the development of workforce housing or in fact encourages it. Such narrative shall include:

 

a.  A summary of the housing related chapters of the municipality’s master plan and the master’s housing related vision, as well as any other plans, policies, or regulations that help achieve workforce and other housing development and accessibility goals;

 

b.  An explanation as to how such plans, policies, or regulations help achieve the spirit and purpose of the HC designation program; and

 

c.  The number of new housing units, including workforce housing units, that were permitted and constructed in the 3 state fiscal years preceding the municipality’s application for HC designation;

 

(20)  The names and titles of planning board and zoning board members receiving training;

 

(21)  Whether each member is a regular or alternate member;

 

(22)  The term dates for each planning board and zoning board member, and whether they are eligible for renewal or reappointment;

 

(23)  A list of trainings attended by each member in last 12 months;

 

(24)  The name of the organization providing training;

 

(25)  The duration of the training(s);

 

(26)  The names of board members who have passed the planning board handbook test, where applicable;

 

(27)  The names of board members who have passed the zoning board handbook test, where applicable;

 

(28)  Certificates of training attendance, if available;

 

(29)  A written attestation that the member has received training for which certificates of attendance are not available;

 

(30)  Planning board handbook certificates, where applicable;

 

(31)  Zoning board of adjustment handbook certificates, where applicable;

 

(32)  The type of sewer and water infrastructure improvement;

 

(33)  The name of the sewer or water infrastructure improvement project;

 

(34)  The address or location of the sewer or water infrastructure improvement;

 

(35)  The completion date, or anticipated completion date, of the sewer or water infrastructure improvement;

 

(36)  Whether the improvement is complete, ongoing, or planned;

 

(37)  Whether the improvement is new, an upgrade, or expansion;

 

(38)  A brief description of how the sewer or water infrastructure improvement increased the number of residential service connections;

 

(39)  A certification that all local approvals and permits and all approvals and permits from the New Hampshire department of environment services have been obtained, if improvement is complete. Otherwise, provide the dates or timelines for attaining such approvals and permits;

 

(40)  If the improvement is ongoing or planned, the municipality shall provide a narrative describing the ongoing or planned improvements, including any material steps that have been taken in furtherance of those improvements;

 

(41)  For all bonus points sought in the category of water and sewer infrastructure, a list of the sewer and water infrastructure bonus points requesting and documentation supporting those bonus points;

 

(42)  The type of infrastructure improvement;

 

(43)  A description of the infrastructure improvement;

 

(44)  The location of the infrastructure improvement;

 

(45)  A certification that the infrastructure improvement meets the minimum requirements detailed in in these rules;

 

(46)  If the improvement is ongoing or planned, a description of the ongoing or planned infrastructure improvements and their intended impact, and a copy of the municipality’s master plan, CIP, or funding application to the New Hampshire department of transportation;

 

(47)  For bonus points sought in the category of public transportation, sidewalks, and walkability infrastructure, a list of the public transportation, sidewalks, and walkability infrastructure bonus points requested and documentation supporting those bonus points;

 

(48)  A description of the financial tool, including the statutory basis for the tool, incentive, or activity;

 

(49)  The date of adoption and implementation of the financial tool, if applicable;

 

(50)  A brief description of the impact of the tool, incentive, or activity; and

 

(51)  Any information or documentation the department determines necessary for a comprehensive review of the municipality’s qualification of the HC designation.

 

          (a)  The application requirements and scoring criteria shall be publicized by the department before the commencement of each application round.

 

          (b)  Municipalities shall submit only one application per HC designation application cycle.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.12  Reporting Requirements for Municipalities.  Municipalities that receive a New Hampshire HC designation shall report its housing-related activities in writing annually. Reports shall be submitted no later than 180 days after the initial HC designation award and then annually by July 1. The annual report shall include, but not be limited to:

 

          (a)  Data regarding local land use board activities;  

 

          (b)  Data regarding the permitting, development, and approval for occupancy of new workforce housing and other housing necessary for the economic development of the state; and

 

          (c)  A narrative describing the adoption, amendment, or repeal of land use regulations and ordinances, and how those changes support the goals of the HC designation program.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.13  Expiration and Renewal.

 

          (a)  A New Hampshire HC designation shall be valid for 3 years from the date such designation is made.

 

          (b)  A municipality may seek renewal of its New Hampshire HC designation for subsequent 3-year periods.

 

          (c)  A municipality seeking to renew their New Hampshire HC designation shall submit a renewal application which shall include relevant information outlined in Bea 504.11(a), as well as the following information:

 

(1)  Any changes from the initial HC application including the substitution or addition of any new qualifications necessary for HC designation as detailed in Bea 504.05 through Bea 504.10;

 

(2)  Explanation as to how specific qualifications detailed in the initial HC application have resulted in additional permitting and production of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state;

 

(3)  Identification of additional improvements or steps taken that resulted in an increase from the municipality’s previous HC designation application score; and

 

(4)  Any additional information the department deems necessary to evaluate a municipality’s continued eligibility for HC designation.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 504.14  Department Impact Report.

 

          (a)  Each year the department shall develop a report which:

 

(1)  Describes department activities related to the operation of the New Hampshire HC designation program in the preceding state fiscal year;

 

(2)  Assesses the overall impact of the New Hampshire HC designation program; 

 

(3)  Assesses the total number of new units of workforce housing and new housing units which were permitted and produced as a result of the program’s operation and incentives; and

 

(4)  Details other notable data related to the results and impact of the program.

 

          (b)  The report required by this section shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate on or before November 1 of each year, beginning in 2024.

          (c)  Upon submission, the report shall be posted online on the website of the department.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 505  HOUSING PLANNING AND REGULATION MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAM

 

          (a)  Bea 505.01  Purpose.  The purpose of this section is to provide the framework for implementation of the housing planning and regulation municipal (HPRM) grant program pursuant to RSA 12-O:72. The HPRM grant program assists municipalities in promoting increased housing production through the awarding of grants for the following purposes, subject to availability of funding:

 

          (b)  Consultation regarding or implementation of revisions to its master plans and land use regulations for the purpose of promoting the production of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state and for the purposes of achieving or maintaining an HC designation; and

 

          (c)  Providing technical assistance to municipalities who lack the current minimum qualifications necessary for HC designation in order for those municipalities to become HC designation eligible in future HC designation application rounds.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.02  HPRM Eligible Grant Phases.  There shall be 4 grant types representing 4 distinct phases of planning and regulatory reform. Applicants for any phase other than phase one shall demonstrate that the activities of each preceding phase are substantially complete before an applicant may apply for funding for a successive type or grant phase. The activities of such earlier grant phases may have occurred without the assistance of this program. The 4 grant phases shall be:

 

          (a)  Master plan update, with a focus on workforce and other housing;

 

          (b)  Regulatory audit, which includes identifying and assessing barriers to workforce and other housing;

 

          (c)  Regulatory change, which reduces identified barriers to workforce and other housing; and

 

          (d)  HC designation assistance.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.03  Community Outreach and Engagement.  Municipalities participating in any of the 4 grant phases shall engage in a public community outreach and engagement process during which the municipality shall solicit support and feedback from stakeholders and the general community and to promote public awareness of the activities being undertaken.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.04  Eligible HPRM Grant Activities.  HPRM grant funds shall be used by the applicant to procure consultation, technical assistance, or other professional services from third-party providers for the scope of work proposed by the municipality in its grant application.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.05  Phase 1 Activities.  Master plan updates shall include:

 

          (a)  Reviewing the existing master plan to identify sections that are related to or impact the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state;

 

          (b)  Drafting new chapters of a master plan or revisions to an existing master plan which promote the development of workforce housing and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state; and

 

          (c)  Engaging the community to support the development and adoption of master plan revisions.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.06  Phase 2 Activities.  Regulatory audit shall include:

 

          (a)  Auditing existing land use regulations and ordinances or financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing that satisfy or maintain HC designation criteria; and

 

          (b)  Recommending changes to land use regulations and ordinances or financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing that satisfy or maintain HC designation criteria.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.07  Phase 3 Activities.  Regulatory change shall include:

 

          (a)  Drafting amendments to existing land use regulations and ordinances, or existing financial tools, that incentivize the development of workforce housing that satisfy or maintain HC designation criteria;

 

          (b)  Drafting new land use regulations and ordinances or new financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing that satisfy or maintain HC designation criteria; and

 

          (c)  Seek adoption of amendments or new land use regulations and ordinances or financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.08  Phase 4 Activities.  HC designation assistance shall include:

 

          (a)  Evaluating whether a municipality meets or maintains the minimum qualifications for HC designation outlined in Bea 504 and promulgated by the department; and

 

          (b)  Assessing capacity of existing water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure and potential expansion or development of water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure if none currently exists, or to assess needs in conjunction with land use regulation and ordinance changes, as well as increased housing development.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.09  Eligibility of Applicant.

 

          (a)  Any municipality within the state of New Hampshire may apply for the HPRM grant program.

 

          (b)  A municipality that has not received an HC designation may still apply for and be awarded an HPRM grant.

 

          (c)  In order for a municipality to apply for and receive an HPRM grant funds, any necessary authorizations by the applicant or on behalf of the municipality’s executive officer, duly authorized local official, or representative shall be completed and provided prior to or as part of an application submission.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.10  HPRM Grant Program Funding.

 

          (a)  The department shall determine what amount or percentage of authorized, available funding will be awarded through the HPRM grant program, dependent upon program demand, needs, and available resources.

 

          (b)  Total award amounts, and any necessary award caps, for each award round shall be determined by the department based on the availability of funding and department priorities.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.11  Application and Scoring.

 

          (a)  Prior to the opening of the application period, the department shall publicize the application, as well as instructions for accessing and completing the application and any other application requirements. Application requirements shall reflect both the general requirements of the HC designation application outlined in Bea 504.11(a) and the requirements within that application relevant to this grant program, as well as grant program specific data.

 

          (b)  Applications shall be reviewed and scored competitively, or be subject to an award cap, if funding available in a given application round does not enable awards being issued to all eligible applicants.

 

          (c)  Municipalities shall submit only one application per grant application cycle, unless available funding permits otherwise. In such circumstances, the department shall provide public notice of such available funding and acceptance of additional applications.

 

          (d)  The department shall, at its discretion, engage a third-party vendor or partner entity to facilitate the HPRM grant program in accordance with Bea 505 rules and any related program guidance that is developed by the department, reviewed by the advisory committee, and publicized prior to a program application round.

 

          (e)  The department shall evaluate applications prior to scoring, where applicable, which shall result in one or more of the following actions:

 

(1)  An opportunity to cure application deficiencies, such as:

 

a.  Requesting clarifying information; or

 

b.  Requesting additional or revised supporting documentation;

 

(2)  Rejection of the application if it does not comply with required application criteria after an opportunity to cure any application deficiencies, or the applicant is ineligible; or

 

(3)  Acceptance and scoring of the application.

 

          (f)  When applicable, an award cap shall be no higher than half the funding available at the start of an application round.

 

          (g)  The department shall use scoring criteria to evaluate applications for the HPRM grant program, such as:

 

(1)  The municipality’s HC designation score and HC designation application contents and information;

 

(2)  The phase of HPRM for which the municipality is seeking funding and status of past phases;

 

(3)  The breadth of the planning, regulatory, or ordinance reform relative to other applicants; and

 

(4)  The municipality’s capacity to carry out the proposed planning, regulatory, or ordinance development.  

 

          (h)  Applications shall be competitively reviewed and shall be scored on the following 100-point scale:

 

(1)  Thirty points for the criteria in Bea 505.11(g)(1);

 

(2)  Twenty points for the criteria in Bea 505.11(g)(2);

 

(3)  Thirty points for the criteria in Bea 505.11(g)(3); and

 

(4)  Twenty points for the criteria in Bea 505.11(g)(4).

 

          (i)  The department shall notify each applicant in writing regarding whether or not a grant was awarded. If a grant was not awarded or fewer funds were awarded than requested, the written notice shall specify the reason(s) for the decision.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 505.12  Distribution of Grant Award Funds.

 

          (a)  Funds shall be distributed on a reimbursement basis based on the grantee’s submission of expenses and supporting documentation.

 

          (b)  The grantee shall register with the department of administrative services for a state of New Hampshire vendor number in order for a payment to issue. Registration is available at:  https://apps.das.nh.gov/vendorregistration/(S(inw3n42wcfgd4dk1b5rzcdez))/welcome.aspx.

 

          (c)  The department shall request additional supporting documentation if the submitted documentation gives rise to questions regarding the allowability of the expense.

 

          (d)  The department shall deny reimbursement for unallowed expenses.

 

          (e)  Request for reimbursement shall be made no more than monthly.

 

          (f)  The department, pursuant to Bea 510, shall seek a waiver of any of the rules in this section if needed, such as when smaller municipalities with limited budget or bonding capacity are encountering challenges in receiving grant awards.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 506  HOUSING PRODUCTION MUNICIPAL (HPM) GRANT PROGRAM

 

          Bea 506.01  Purpose and Applicability.

 

          (a)  The purpose of this section is to implement the housing production municipal grant program established by RSA 12-O:73, I.

 

          (b)  Subject to available funding, the HPM grant program shall make grants to HC designation municipalities based on the number of units of workforce housing in the municipality for which certificates of occupancy were issued in the preceding state fiscal year.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 506.02  HPM Grant Program Funding and General Information.

 

          (a)  The department shall determine what amount or percentage of authorized, available funding shall be awarded through the HPM grant program, dependent upon program demand, needs, and available resources.

 

          (b)  Funding shall be distributed as follows:

 

(1)  A municipality shall receive $10,000 per unit for each unit of deed restricted workforce housing for which certificates of occupancy have been issued by the municipality in the preceding state fiscal year;

 

(2)  If funds are not exhausted after the initial distribution in (a) above the department shall facilitate additional application rounds until all funding is exhausted; and

 

(3)  In the event of oversubscription in a year’s funding round, each applicant shall be capped to no more than half the funding available at the start of an application round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

          Bea 506.03  Eligibility.

 

          (a)  A municipality shall have a current HC designation to apply for or receive funds under the HPM grant program.

 

          (b)  A municipality shall receive funds based on units of workforce housing that received a certificate of occupancy during the state fiscal year immediately preceding a municipality receiving its HC designation, even if they did not yet have said designation.  

 

          (c)  To receive funding under the HPM grant program a municipality shall demonstrate that it has internal procedures in place or a monitoring agreement with a third-party to enforce the terms in the land use restriction agreement or workforce unit covenant agreement.

 

          (d)  A municipality shall receive one award in a given state fiscal year unless sufficient program funding exists to fund all other eligible applications first within an application funding round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 506.04  Application.

 

          (a)  To apply for the HPM grant, the applicant shall submit the following information and documentation to the department:

 

(1)  Municipality name;

 

(2)  Municipality unique entity identifier (UEI); 

 

(3)  Municipality tax identification number (TIN);

 

(4)  Municipal address;

 

(5)  Municipal contact person’s name;

 

(6)  Municipal contact person’s title;

 

(7)  Municipal contact person’s email;

 

(8)  Municipal contact person’s phone number;

 

(9)  Municipal website address;

 

(10)  Copy of HC designation notification;

 

(11)  HC designation renewal date:

 

(12)  State of New Hampshire vendor number; 

 

(13)  Number of deed restricted workforce housing units issued certificate of occupancy in previous state fiscal year;

 

(14)  List of projects, their addresses, number of new market rate units, new workforce housing units, and term of affordability, is the new unit for sale or rental;

 

(15)  Verification that units meet the affordability requirement for a minimum of 10 years;

 

(16)  Proof of workforce housing affordability monitoring;

 

(17)  Copy of workforce housing restriction registered at county registry of deeds;

 

(18)  Copies of certificates of occupancy;

 

(19)  All documentation demonstrating workforce housing units are compliant with Bea 502.54;

 

(20)  An attestation that the applicant is authorized to make statements and to apply for the housing production municipal grant on behalf of the municipality listed in the application;

 

(21)  An acknowledgement that the names and businesses addresses of all applicants, and amounts of awards made to them, will be public information subject to disclosure under RSA 91-A;

 

(22)  An authorization for the state of New Hampshire and the department to share the information provided in the application with other state or federal governmental agencies, contractors, and service providers in order to assess the application or administer this program;

 

(23)  An acknowledgement that the municipality will respond within 30 days and cooperate fully with any post-award requests for information related to this program; and

 

(24)  A signed statement from the applicant that the information in the application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief, subject to RSA 641:3.

 

          (b)  Unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, the department shall keep all financial information confidential to the extent allowed under RSA 91-A.

 

          (c)  Prior to the opening of the application period, the department shall publicize the application, as well as instructions for accessing and completing the application and any other application requirements. Application requirements shall include both the general requirements of the HC designation application outlined in Bea 504.11(a) and the requirements within that application relevant to this grant program.

 

          (d)  Municipalities shall submit only one application per grant application cycle.

 

          (e)  In future application rounds, priority shall be given to municipalities that have not yet received an award in this grant program.

 

          (f)  The department shall evaluate applications based on the requirements established in these rules.

 

          (g)  The evaluation shall result in one or more of the following actions:

 

(1)  Acceptance of the application and review for an award;

 

(2)  An opportunity to cure application deficiencies, such as:

 

a.  Requesting clarifying information; or

 

b.  Requesting additional or revised supporting documentation; or

 

(3)  Rejection of the application if it does not comply with required application criteria after an opportunity to cure any application deficiencies, or if the applicant is ineligible.

 

          (h)  The department shall notify each applicant in writing regarding whether or not a grant was awarded. If a grant was not awarded or fewer funds were awarded than requested, the written notice shall specify the reason(s) for the decision.

  

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 506.05  Distribution of Grant Funds.

 

          (a)  HPM grant awards shall be paid out in a single lump sum upon the finalization and authorization of the award.

 

          (b)  The grantee shall register with the department of administrative services for a state of New Hampshire vendor number in order for a payment to issue. Registration is available at:  https://apps.das.nh.gov/vendorregistration/(S(inw3n42wcfgd4dk1b5rzcdez))/welcome.aspx.

 

          (c)  Disbursement by the state shall be completed by check or electronic funds transfer (EFT) in accordance with the vendor registration. 

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 507  HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE MUNICIPAL (HIM) GRANT PROGRAM

 

          Bea 507.01  Purpose and Applicability.

 

          (a)  The purpose of this section is to provide the framework for implementation of the housing infrastructure municipal (HIM) grant program pursuant to RSA 21-O:73, II.

 

          (b)  Subject to available funding, the department shall make grants to HC designation municipalities for new construction or capacity increases for drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, highway infrastructure, telecommunication, and electrical distribution infrastructure.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.02  Funding Allocation.

 

          (a)  The department shall determine what amount or percentage of authorized available funding will be awarded through the HIM grant program, dependent upon program demand, needs, and available resources.

 

          (b)  The department shall set an award cap per applicant or utilize a competitive application review and award process based on scoring criteria provided in Bea 507.05(i), (j), (k) and (l). A cap will be no higher than half the funding available at the start of an application round.

 

          (c)  Applications that do not receive an award due to lack of funds, but were valid and would have been otherwise funded, shall be retained for subsequent application rounds.

 

          (d)  Total allocation for future rounds shall be determined by the department based on available funding. Funding priorities for additional rounds shall be determined by the department based on the amount of funding available and how grant funding will best serve the goals of the HIM grant program. 

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.03  Eligibility.  A municipality shall have an active HC designation in order to apply for and be awarded a HIM grant. A municipality shall only receive one award in a given state fiscal year, unless sufficient program funding exists to fund all other eligible applications first within an application funding round.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.04  Eligible Grant-Funded Activities.  HIM grant funds shall be used to support the following new construction or capacity increases of the following types of infrastructure, as long as the improvement supports the program goals of facilitating the development of additional housing in the municipality:

 

          (a)  Drinking water infrastructure improvements;

 

          (b)  Sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements; 

 

          (c)  Stormwater system creation, expansion, or upgrades;

 

          (d)  Highway infrastructure;

 

          (e)  Telecommunications;

 

          (f)  Electrical distribution, including switchgear or transformers; and

 

          (g)  Fire suppression system upgrades for conversion of existing buildings to residential use in order to meet the requirements of the state fire code and RSA 153:5

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.05  Application and Scoring.

 

          (a)  To apply for an HIM grant, the applicant shall submit the following information and documentation to the department

 

(1)  Municipality name;

 

(2)  Municipality unique entity identifier (UEI); 

 

(3)  Municipality tax identification number (TIN);

 

(4)  Municipal contact person’s name;

 

(5)  Municipal contact person’s title;

 

(6)  Municipal contact person’s email;

 

(7)  Municipal contact person’s phone number;

 

(8)  Type of municipality city, town, village district, or county in which there are located unincorporated places;

 

(9)  Municipal website address;

 

(10)  Housing champion designation award date;

 

(11)  State of New Hampshire vendor number;

 

(12)  Type of infrastructure improvements which funds are being requested;

 

(13)  Location of infrastructure improvements;

 

(14)  Whether the improvement is new, an upgrade, or expansion;

 

(15)  Total project projected costs;

 

(16)  HIM grant amount requested by Municipality based on a 25 percent matching requirement and the specific purpose of the funds;

 

(17)  Budget outlining costs and committed monies for the project;

 

(18)  A narrative describing the level of need for the infrastructure improvement in the municipality, as documented in the municipality’s master plan, asset management plan, capital improvement plan, and infrastructure, utility master plan which includes:

 

a.  Project goals;

 

b.  Scope of the work, including for each task the name of the task, time frame for the task, who will perform the task, and a brief summary of each task including purpose and output;

 

c.  Project partners including municipal boards and committees, individuals, community organizations, or any other participating partners;

 

d.  Additional sources of funding which are committed, partially committed, or likely to become available;

 

e.  How the project fits into a larger infrastructure plan which creates future-proof systems and creates greater housing opportunities; and

 

f.  A digital copy of the conceptual or approved design plan;

 

(19)   The number of future housing units as a result of the proposed infrastructure improvements;

 

(20) Project timeline;

 

(21)  If it is a joint community project, and if so, a list of all communities involved as well as their HC designation;

 

(22)  Any information or documentation the department determines necessary for a comprehensive review of the municipality’s qualifications for the grant;

 

(23)  All documentation that the applicant is authorized to make statements and to apply for the housing infrastructure municipal grant on behalf of the municipality listed in this application;

 

(24) Attest that the applicant is authorized to make statements and to apply for the housing production municipal grant on behalf of the municipality listed in this application;

 

(25)  An acknowledgement that the names and businesses addresses of all applicants, and amounts of awards made to them, will be public information subject to disclosure under RSA 91-A;

 

(26)  An authorization that the state of New Hampshire and the department can share the information provided in the application with other state or federal governmental agencies, contractors, and service providers in order to assess the application or administer this program;

 

(27)  An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to respond within 30 days and cooperate fully with any post-award requests for information related to this program; and

 

(28)  A signed statement from the applicant that the information in the application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief, subject to RSA 641:3.

 

          (b)  Unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, the department shall keep all financial information confidential to the extent allowed under RSA 91-A.

 

          (c)  Prior to the opening of the application period, the department shall publicize the application, as well as instructions for accessing and completing the application and any other application requirements. Application requirements shall reflect both the general requirements of the HC designation application outlined in Bea 504.11(a).

 

          (d)  If additional funding becomes available, the department shall publicize additional application rounds including instructions for accessing and completing the application and application requirements.

 

          (e)  Municipalities shall submit only one application per grant application cycle.

 

          (f)  Applications shall be reviewed and scored competitively.

 

          (g)  The department shall evaluate applications prior to scoring.

 

          (h)  The evaluation shall result in one or more of the following actions:

 

(1)  Acceptance of the application and review for scoring or award;

 

(2)  An opportunity to cure application deficiencies, such as:

 

a.  Requesting clarifying information; or

 

b.  Requesting additional or revised supporting documentation; or

 

(3)  Rejection of the application if it does not comply with required application criteria after an opportunity to cure any application deficiencies, or the applicant is ineligible.

 

          (i)  The department shall evaluate applications for the HIM grant program based on department priorities and available funding including:

 

(1)  The municipality’s HC designation score and HC designation application contents and information;

 

(2)  The soundness and completeness of approach and plan for the proposed project;

 

(3)  The municipality’s capacity to carry out the proposed project; and

 

(4)  The project’s relationship to workforce housing projects that are recently completed, underway, or approved or general impact the municipality’s housing supply.

 

          (j)  Applications competitively reviewed shall be scored on the following 100-point scale:

 

(1)  Thirty points for the criteria in Bea 507.05(i)(1);

 

(2)  Twenty points for the criteria in Bea 507.05(i)(2);

 

(3)  Twenty points for the criteria in Bea 507.05(i)(3); and

 

(4)  Thirty points for the criteria in Bea 507.05(i)(4).

 

          (k)  The department shall notify each applicant in writing regarding whether or not a grant was awarded. If a grant was not awarded or fewer funds were awarded than requested, the written notice shall specify the reason(s) for the decision.

 

          (l)  In future application rounds, priority shall be given to municipalities that have not yet received an award in the HIM grant program with the provision of 10 bonus points in the scoring criteria for such applicants.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.06  Blended or Braided Funding.  If allowed under the rules for all funding sources, HIM grant funding may be used to supplement funding from other sources including, but not limited to federal, state, and municipal sources as well as non-government sources. Grant applicants shall be responsible for ensuring the compatibility of all funding sources.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.07  Funding Round Priorities.  To facilitate the most effective use of HIM grant program funding, for each funding round the department shall set program priorities for that round prior to advertising the funding opportunity and application details for the round. This determination shall be based on the amount of funding available and the emergent needs of HC designation municipalities.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.08  Joint Projects.  Municipalities may apply jointly for HIM grant funding, as long as all applicant municipalities are HC designated.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.09  Matching Requirements.

 

          (a)  Municipalities shall provide at least a 25 percent funding match for all HIM grant projects. A municipality may meet the funding matching requirement with any combination of municipal funds, funding from other state or federal programs, subject to the rules of the specific funding source, contributions of services or property, or third-party contributions of cash.

 

          (b)  In order for the value of municipal contributions to be counted towards the cost matching requirement, all funds and contributions shall:

 

(1)  Be verifiable from the municipality’s records, such as municipal financial records or documentation of a contract or award letter;

 

(2)  Not be paid for by a funding source which is also being used to make up part of the municipality’s funding match. For example, if the funding itself is counted, the services paid for by that funding source may not be double counted;

 

(3)  Be necessary and reasonable for the accomplishment of the project; and

 

(4)  Be provided for in the approved project budget.

 

          (c)  The value for municipal employee services shall be valued at the employee’s regular rate of pay, and fringe benefits may be counted at the value of the benefits the employee would normally receive in proportion to the time spent by the employee on the project.

 

          (d)  The value of municipal property supplied by the municipality shall be the lesser of:

 

(1)  The value of the remaining life of the property recorded in the municipality’s accounting records at the time of contribution; or

 

(2)  The current fair market value.

 

          (e)  Donated property from third parties such as land, equipment, and supplies may be counted as cost sharing or matching if the property is an integral and necessary part of a proposed or approved project. Value assessed to donated property included in cost sharing or matching shall not exceed the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation.

 

          (f)  If the purpose of the award is to help the municipality in the acquisition of property, then the aggregate value of the donated property shall be claimed as cost sharing or matching.

 

          (g)  If the purpose of the award is to support activities that require the use of property, or the property is loaned for a limited time, only the depreciation charge or fair market rental value of the property shall be claimed as cost sharing or matching.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 507.10  Distribution of Grant Award Funds.

 

          (a)  Funds shall be distributed on a reimbursement basis based on the grantee’s submission of expenses and supporting documentation.

 

          (b)  The grantee shall register with the department of administrative services for a state of New Hampshire vendor number in order for a payment to issue. Registration is available at:  https://apps.das.nh.gov/vendorregistration/(S(inw3n42wcfgd4dk1b5rzcdez))/welcome.aspx.

 

          (c)  The department shall request additional supporting documentation if the submitted documentation gives rise to questions regarding the allowability of the expense.

 

          (d)  The department shall deny reimbursement for unallowed expenses.

 

          (e)  Request for reimbursement shall be made no more than monthly.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 508  HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE MUNICIPAL (HIM) LOAN PROGRAM

 

          Bea 508.01  Purpose and applicability.

 

          (a)  The purpose of this section is to establish the framework for implementation of the housing infrastructure municipal (HIM) loan program pursuant to RSA 21-O:73, II.

 

          (b)  Subject to available funding, the department shall make loans to HC designation municipalities for new construction or capacity increases for drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, highway infrastructure, telecommunications, and electrical distribution infrastructure. 

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 508.02  Application.  The HIM loan application shall include information the department deems necessary for a comprehensive review of an applying municipality’s qualification for the grant. Such information shall include the requirements consistent with Bea 507.02(a).

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 508.03  Funding Allocation.  Dependent upon availability of funding, the department shall determine if any funds shall be allocated for the purposes of facilitating the HIM loan program. In the event of allocated funding, the HIM loan program shall be facilitated in concert with the related HIM grant program, including eligibility, award, and fund use requirements. However, no match requirement shall be required of the municipality.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 509  GRANT AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION

 

          Bea 509.01  Agreement with the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.

 

          (a)  Awards which have been approved by governor and executive council, shall enter into an agreement between the awardee and the department and shall fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement in order to receive municipal grant and loan funds.   

 

          (b)  The awardee shall register with the department of administrative services for a state of New Hampshire vendor number in order for a payment to issue. Registration is available at:  https://apps.das.nh.gov/vendorregistration/(S(inw3n42wcfgd4dk1b5rzcdez))/welcome.aspx.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 509.02  Funding Determinations.

 

          (a)  The department shall review all applications for awards using the criteria specified in these rules.

 

          (b)  The department shall notify each applicant in writing regarding whether or not a grant was awarded. If a grant was not awarded or fewer funds were awarded than requested, the written notice shall specify the reason(s) for the decision.

 

          (c)  Applications that are not funded due to a lack of funds, but were valid and would have been otherwise funded, shall be retained for subsequent application rounds.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 510  WAIVER OF RULES

 

          Bea 510.01  Waiver of Rules.

 

          (a)  The department, upon the department’s own initiative or upon request by a municipality, shall waive any requirement of Bea 500 if such waiver does not contradict the objective or intent of the rule and:

 

(1)  Applying the rule provision would cause confusion or would be misleading to the applicant;

 

(2)  The rule provision is in whole or in part inapplicable to the given circumstances;

 

(3)  There are specific circumstances unique to the situation such that strict compliance with the rule would be onerous without promoting the objective or intent of the rule provision; or

 

(4)  Any other similar extenuating circumstances exist such that application of an alternative standard or procedure better promotes the objective or intent of the rule provision, provided:

 

          (b)  No requirement prescribed by statute shall be waived unless expressly authorized by law.

 

          (c)  Any person or entity seeking a waiver shall make a request in writing to the department.

 

          (d)  A request for a waiver shall specify the basis for the waiver and proposed alternative, if any.

 

          (e)  Waivers that are granted shall be in effect for the period of time requested and approved by the department.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

PART Bea 511  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

 

          Bea 511.01  Administrative Review Procedure and Time Limits.

 

          (a)  This section shall be applicable to each applicant that has applied for municipal grant funds and either received no funds or fewer funds than requested.

 

          (b)  Applicants may apply for an administrative review of the scoring of its application by filing a written request within 15 calendar days after an award notice by the department.

 

          (c)  The request for an administrative review shall be signed by the chief executive officer of the municipality or governing body appointed designee and shall contain the reason for the requested review. The request shall not introduce new information and shall only explain or clarify information contained in the application submitted.

 

          (d)  The department shall review and respond to the written request within 15 calendar days after receipt of the request. The department, based on the information in the request as well as the scoring criteria, shall affirm or modify the prior decision.

 

PART Bea 512  NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSING CHAMPION DESIGNATION AND GRANT PROGRAM FUND  

 

          Bea 512.01  Purpose  There is hereby established in the state treasury the New Hampshire HC designation and grant program fund, for the purpose of funding the grant programs established in RSA 12-O:72 and RSA 12-O:73. The fund shall be non-lapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the department.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24

 

          Bea 512.02  Funding Sources  Funds may originate with federal or private grants or other funding sources beyond appropriations from general funds.

 

Source.  #14043, eff 8-8-24


 

 

 

 

APPENDIX I

 

Provision of the Proposed Rule

Specific State or Federal Statutes or Regulations Which the Rule is Intended to Implement

Bea 501.01 

RSA 12-O:71-RSA 12-O:75 

Bea 501.02

RSA 12-O:71-RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.01 

RSA 674:71; RSA 674:73 

Bea 502.02 – Bea 502.03

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.04 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 354- A:15 

Bea 502.05 – Bea 502.06

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.07 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:5 

Bea 502.8 – Bea 502.9

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.10 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 485-A:1 

Bea 502.11 – Bea 502.17

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.18 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 153:1, III 

Bea 502.19 – Bea 502.26

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.27 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:16; RSA 674:21; RSA 674:35; RSA 674:43 

Bea 502.28 – Bea 502.29

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.30 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 672:7; RSA 673 

Bea 502.31 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 672:8 

Bea 502.32 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:24 

Bea 502.33 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:1 

Bea 502.34

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.35 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:58, II

Bea 502.36 

RSA 12-O:69-RSA 12-O:74 

Bea 502.37 

RSA 672:10 

Bea 502.38 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 672-RSA 679

Bea 502.39 – Bea 502.40

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.41 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 672:11; RSA 673 

Bea 502.42

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.43 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 485:1-a, XV 

Bea 502.44 – Bea 502.48

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.49 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 259:100 

Bea 502.50 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 672:14 

Bea 502.51 – Bea 502.52

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 502.53 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 485-A:2, XVI 

Bea 502.54 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:58 

Bea 502.55 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:58-61; RSA 674 

Bea 502.56 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:16; RSA 674:16

Bea 502.57 

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:16; RSA 674:23 

Bea 503.01

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 12-O:76

Bea 503.02 

RSA 12-O:76 

 

 

Bea 504.01 – Bea 504.04

RSA 12-O:71; RSA 12-O:73; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 504.05

RSA 12-O:71; RSA 12-O:73; RSA 12-O:75; RSA 49-C; RSA 49-D; RSA 153; RSA 155-A; RSA 205-A:1, II; RSA 674:59; RSA 674:16; RSA 674:21; RSA 674:31; RSA 674:32;  RSA 674:33, IV; RSA674:58, II; RSA 674:72; RSA 676:4, II(b)

Bea 504.06 – Bea 504.08

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 504.09

RSA 4:40; RSA 12-O:75; RSA 31:95-h; RSA 31:95-h, I(d); RSA 31:95-h, II; RSA 35:5; RSA 35:8; RSA 41:14-a; RSA 79-E; RSA 79-E:3; RSA 79-E:5, II; RSA 80:76; RSA 162-G; RSA 162-K; RSA 162-K:5; RSA 162-K:6,III(j); RSA 674:58, IV; RSA 162-K:2, IX-a (a)(5); RSA 162-K:9; RSA 162:K-10 

Bea 504.10

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 53-A; RSA 162-K; RSA 162-K:6; RSA 162-K:2, IX-a(a)(5); RSA 574:58, IV; RSA 673:4-c; RSA 674:44-h

Bea 504.11

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 674:18 

Bea 504.12

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 504.13

RSA 12-O:75; RSA 541-A:30, I

Bea 504.14

RSA 12-O:75: RSA 541-A:5, III(e)

Bea 505.01 

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 505.02 – Bea 505.12

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 506.01 

RSA 12-O:73, I; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 506.02 – Bea 506.05

RSA 12-O:75

Bea 507.01 

RSA 12-O: 72; RSA 21-O:73, II; RSA 12-O:75; RSA 135:5   

Bea 507.02 – Bea 507.03

RSA 12-O: 72; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 507.04

RSA 12-O: 72; RSA 12-O:75; RSA 135:5 

Bea 507.05 – Bea 507.10

RSA 12-O: 72; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 508.01 

RSA 21-O:73, II; RSA 12-O:75 

Bea 508.02

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73; RSA 541-A:1 VII.

Bea 508.03

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73;

Bea 509.01 – Bea 509.02 

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73; RSA 12-O:75

Bea 510.01

RSA 541-A:37

Bea 511.01 

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73; RSA 12-O:75 

Bea 511.02

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73 

Bea 512.01-Bea 512.02

RSA 12-O:72; RSA 12-O:73 

 


 

APPENDIX II

Citation: U.S. Census Bureau. "TOTAL POPULATION." Decennial Census, DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics, Table P1, 2020. Accessed on October 6, 2023

 

Total Resident Population in New Hampshire by Municipalities - Decennial Census

Geographic Area

Total Population as of April 1, 2020

Alton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

5,894

Barnstead town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

4,915

Belmont town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

7,314

Center Harbor town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

1,040

Gilford town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

7,699

Gilmanton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

3,945

Laconia city, Belknap County, New Hampshire

16,871

Meredith town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

6,662

New Hampton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

2,377

Sanbornton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

3,026

Tilton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

3,962

Albany town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

759

Bartlett town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

3,200

Brookfield town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

755

Chatham town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

341

Conway town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

9,822

Eaton town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

405

Effingham town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,691

Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,689

Hale's location, Carroll County, New Hampshire

132

Hart's Location town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

68

Jackson town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,028

Madison town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,565

Moultonborough town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

4,918

Ossipee town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

4,372

Sandwich town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,466

Tamworth town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,812

Tuftonboro town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,467

Wakefield town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

5,201

Wolfeboro town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

6,416

Alstead town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,864

Chesterfield town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

3,552

Dublin town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,532

Fitzwilliam town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

2,351

Gilsum town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

752

Harrisville town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

984

Hinsdale town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

3,948

Jaffrey town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

5,320

Keene city, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

23,047

Marlborough town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

2,096

Marlow town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

749

Nelson town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

629

Richmond town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,197

Rindge town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

6,476

Roxbury town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

220

Stoddard town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,374

Sullivan town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

658

Surry town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

820

Swanzey town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

7,270

Troy town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

2,130

Walpole town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

3,633

Westmoreland town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,706

Winchester town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

4,150

Atkinson and Gilmanton Academy grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Beans grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Beans purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Berlin city, Coos County, New Hampshire

9,425

Cambridge township, Coos County, New Hampshire

16

Carroll town, Coos County, New Hampshire

820

Chandlers purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Clarksville town, Coos County, New Hampshire

294

Colebrook town, Coos County, New Hampshire

2,084

Columbia town, Coos County, New Hampshire

659

Crawfords purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Cutts grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Dalton town, Coos County, New Hampshire

933

Dixs grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Dixville township, Coos County, New Hampshire

4

Dummer town, Coos County, New Hampshire

306

Errol town, Coos County, New Hampshire

298

Ervings location, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Gorham town, Coos County, New Hampshire

2,698

Greens grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Hadleys purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Jefferson town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,043

Kilkenny township, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Lancaster town, Coos County, New Hampshire

3,218

Low and Burbanks grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Martins location, Coos County, New Hampshire

2

Milan town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,358

Millsfield township, Coos County, New Hampshire

25

Northumberland town, Coos County, New Hampshire

2,126

Odell township, Coos County, New Hampshire

1

Pinkhams grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Pittsburg town, Coos County, New Hampshire

800

Randolph town, Coos County, New Hampshire

328

Sargents purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Second College grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

1

Shelburne town, Coos County, New Hampshire

353

Stark town, Coos County, New Hampshire

478

Stewartstown town, Coos County, New Hampshire

813

Stratford town, Coos County, New Hampshire

662

Success township, Coos County, New Hampshire

4

Thompson and Meserves purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

1

Wentworth location, Coos County, New Hampshire

28

Whitefield town, Coos County, New Hampshire

2,490

Alexandria town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,776

Ashland town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,938

Bath town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,077

Benton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

374

Bethlehem town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,484

Bridgewater town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,160

Bristol town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

3,244

Campton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

3,343

Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

3,794

Dorchester town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

339

Easton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

292

Ellsworth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

93

Enfield town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

4,465

Franconia town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,083

Grafton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,385

Groton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

569

Hanover town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

11,870

Haverhill town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

4,585

Hebron town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

632

Holderness town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,004

Landaff town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

446

Lebanon city, Grafton County, New Hampshire

14,282

Lincoln town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,631

Lisbon town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,621

Littleton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

6,005

Livermore town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2

Lyman town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

585

Lyme town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,745

Monroe town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

864

Orange town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

277

Orford town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,237

Piermont town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

769

Plymouth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

6,682

Rumney town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,498

Sugar Hill town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

647

Thornton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,708

Warren town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

825

Waterville Valley town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

508

Wentworth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

845

Woodstock town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,434

Amherst town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

11,753

Antrim town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

2,651

Bedford town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

23,322

Bennington town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,501

Brookline town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

5,639

Deering town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,904

Francestown town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,610

Goffstown town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

18,577

Greenfield town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,716

Greenville town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,974

Hancock town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,731

Hillsborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

5,939

Hollis town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

8,342

Hudson town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

25,394

Litchfield town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

8,478

Lyndeborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,702

Manchester city, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

115,644

Mason town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,448

Merrimack town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

26,632

Milford town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

16,131

Mont Vernon town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

2,584

Nashua city, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

91,322

New Boston town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

6,108

New Ipswich town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

5,204

Pelham town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

14,222

Peterborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

6,418

Sharon town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

359

Temple town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,382

Weare town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

9,092

Wilton town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

3,896

Windsor town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

262

Allenstown town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,707

Andover town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,406

Boscawen town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

3,998

Bow town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

8,229

Bradford town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,662

Canterbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,389

Chichester town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,665

Concord city, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

43,976

Danbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,250

Dunbarton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

3,005

Epsom town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,834

Franklin city, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

8,741

Henniker town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

6,185

Hill town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,017

Hooksett town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

14,871

Hopkinton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

5,914

Loudon town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

5,576

Newbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,172

New London town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,400

Northfield town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,872

Pembroke town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

7,207

Pittsfield town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,075

Salisbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,422

Sutton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,978

Warner town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,937

Webster town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,913

Wilmot town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,407

County subdivisions not defined, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

0

Atkinson town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

7,087

Auburn town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

5,946

Brentwood town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,490

Candia town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,013

Chester town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

5,232

Danville town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,408

Deerfield town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,855

Derry town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

34,317

East Kingston town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,441

Epping town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

7,125

Exeter town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

16,049

Fremont town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,739

Greenland town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,067

Hampstead town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

8,998

Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

16,214

Hampton Falls town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,403

Kensington town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,095

Kingston town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

6,202

Londonderry town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

25,826

New Castle town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,000

Newfields town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,769

Newington town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

811

Newmarket town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

9,430

Newton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,820

North Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,538

Northwood town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,641

Nottingham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

5,229

Plaistow town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

7,830

Portsmouth city, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

21,956

Raymond town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

10,684

Rye town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

5,543

Salem town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

30,089

Sandown town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

6,548

Seabrook town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

8,401

South Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

894

Stratham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

7,669

Windham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

15,817

Barrington town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

9,326

Dover city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

32,741

Durham town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

15,490

Farmington town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

6,722

Lee town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

4,520

Madbury town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,918

Middleton town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,823

Milton town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

4,482

New Durham town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

2,693

Rochester city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

32,492

Rollinsford town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

2,597

Somersworth city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

11,855

Strafford town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

4,230

Acworth town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

853

Charlestown town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

4,806

Claremont city, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

12,949

Cornish town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,616

Croydon town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

801

Goshen town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

796

Grantham town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

3,404

Langdon town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

651

Lempster town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,118

Newport town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

6,299

Plainfield town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

2,459

Springfield town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,259

Sunapee town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

3,342

Unity town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,518

Washington town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,192

 


 

 

APPENDIX III

Citation: U.S. Census Bureau. "HOUSING UNITS." Decennial Census, DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics, Table H1, 2020. Accessed on October 6, 2023

 

Total Number of Housing Units in New Hampshire by Municipalities - Decennial Census

Geographic Area

Total Housing Units as of April 1, 2020

Alton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

4,309

Barnstead town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

2,416

Belmont town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

3,614

Center Harbor town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

771

Gilford town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

5,175

Gilmanton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

2,152

Laconia city, Belknap County, New Hampshire

10,275

Meredith town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

4,742

New Hampton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

1,175

Sanbornton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

1,695

Tilton town, Belknap County, New Hampshire

1,928

Albany town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

535

Bartlett town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

3,967

Brookfield town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

365

Chatham town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

241

Conway town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

6,531

Eaton town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

280

Effingham town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

970

Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,062

Hale's location, Carroll County, New Hampshire

105

Hart's Location town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

59

Jackson town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,052

Madison town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,881

Moultonborough town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

4,910

Ossipee town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,982

Sandwich town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,073

Tamworth town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

1,883

Tuftonboro town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

2,390

Wakefield town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

3,984

Wolfeboro town, Carroll County, New Hampshire

4,400

Alstead town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

975

Chesterfield town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,787

Dublin town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

752

Fitzwilliam town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,248

Gilsum town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

354

Harrisville town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

680

Hinsdale town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,814

Jaffrey town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

2,555

Keene city, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

10,297

Marlborough town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

993

Marlow town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

410

Nelson town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

395

Richmond town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

502

Rindge town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

2,361

Roxbury town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

98

Stoddard town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,056

Sullivan town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

314

Surry town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

344

Swanzey town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

3,360

Troy town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

911

Walpole town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,746

Westmoreland town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

691

Winchester town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

1,969

Atkinson and Gilmanton Academy grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

2

Beans grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Beans purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Berlin city, Coos County, New Hampshire

4,714

Cambridge township, Coos County, New Hampshire

30

Carroll town, Coos County, New Hampshire

912

Chandlers purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Clarksville town, Coos County, New Hampshire

424

Colebrook town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,365

Columbia town, Coos County, New Hampshire

498

Crawfords purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Cutts grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Dalton town, Coos County, New Hampshire

548

Dixs grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

14

Dixville township, Coos County, New Hampshire

35

Dummer town, Coos County, New Hampshire

260

Errol town, Coos County, New Hampshire

463

Ervings location, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Gorham town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,467

Greens grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

5

Hadleys purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Jefferson town, Coos County, New Hampshire

646

Kilkenny township, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Lancaster town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,653

Low and Burbanks grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Martins location, Coos County, New Hampshire

1

Milan town, Coos County, New Hampshire

774

Millsfield township, Coos County, New Hampshire

59

Northumberland town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,081

Odell township, Coos County, New Hampshire

59

Pinkhams grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Pittsburg town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,714

Randolph town, Coos County, New Hampshire

297

Sargents purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

0

Second College grant, Coos County, New Hampshire

6

Shelburne town, Coos County, New Hampshire

209

Stark town, Coos County, New Hampshire

409

Stewartstown town, Coos County, New Hampshire

778

Stratford town, Coos County, New Hampshire

522

Success township, Coos County, New Hampshire

42

Thompson and Meserves purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire

1

Wentworth location, Coos County, New Hampshire

81

Whitefield town, Coos County, New Hampshire

1,375

Alexandria town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

941

Ashland town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,352

Bath town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

560

Benton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

158

Bethlehem town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,478

Bridgewater town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

948

Bristol town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,495

Campton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,167

Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,901

Dorchester town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

209

Easton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

210

Ellsworth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

89

Enfield town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,468

Franconia town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

838

Grafton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

796

Groton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

402

Hanover town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

3,452

Haverhill town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,349

Hebron town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

604

Holderness town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,428

Landaff town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

241

Lebanon city, Grafton County, New Hampshire

7,201

Lincoln town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,824

Lisbon town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

818

Littleton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

3,135

Livermore town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1

Lyman town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

358

Lyme town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

803

Monroe town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

390

Orange town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

158

Orford town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

664

Piermont town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

453

Plymouth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

2,310

Rumney town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

921

Sugar Hill town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

384

Thornton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,874

Warren town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

523

Waterville Valley town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,058

Wentworth town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

504

Woodstock town, Grafton County, New Hampshire

1,375

Amherst town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

4,466

Antrim town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,265

Bedford town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

8,279

Bennington town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

706

Brookline town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,877

Deering town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

919

Francestown town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

740

Goffstown town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

6,619

Greenfield town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

708

Greenville town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

916

Hancock town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

854

Hillsborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

2,836

Hollis town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

3,184

Hudson town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

9,839

Litchfield town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

3,146

Lyndeborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

709

Manchester city, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

51,438

Mason town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

588

Merrimack town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

10,517

Milford town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

6,846

Mont Vernon town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

974

Nashua city, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

39,663

New Boston town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

2,174

New Ipswich town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,958

Pelham town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

5,258

Peterborough town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

2,991

Sharon town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

158

Temple town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

569

Weare town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

3,631

Wilton town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

1,630

Windsor town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

113

Allenstown town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,023

Andover town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,132

Boscawen town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,522

Bow town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

3,009

Bradford town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

906

Canterbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,066

Chichester town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,037

Concord city, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

19,085

Danbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

691

Dunbarton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,148

Epsom town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,992

Franklin city, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

4,046

Henniker town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,839

Hill town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

499

Hooksett town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

5,785

Hopkinton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,451

Loudon town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,234

Newbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,594

New London town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,252

Northfield town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,006

Pembroke town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

2,985

Pittsfield town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,770

Salisbury town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

609

Sutton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,003

Warner town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

1,360

Webster town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

853

Wilmot town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

668

County subdivisions not defined, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

0

Atkinson town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

3,002

Auburn town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,138

Brentwood town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,496

Candia town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,574

Chester town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,848

Danville town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,717

Deerfield town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,920

Derry town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

14,009

East Kingston town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

943

Epping town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,985

Exeter town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

7,459

Fremont town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,810

Greenland town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,648

Hampstead town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

3,860

Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

10,153

Hampton Falls town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

977

Kensington town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

804

Kingston town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,592

Londonderry town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

9,849

New Castle town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

525

Newfields town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

622

Newington town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

353

Newmarket town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,398

Newton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

1,946

North Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,032

Northwood town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,244

Nottingham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,139

Plaistow town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

3,196

Portsmouth city, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

11,161

Raymond town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,500

Rye town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,906

Salem town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

12,681

Sandown town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

2,483

Seabrook town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4,436

South Hampton town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

340

Stratham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

3,017

Windham town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

5,575

Barrington town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

3,830

Dover city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

15,166

Durham town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

3,763

Farmington town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

2,956

Lee town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,808

Madbury town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

710

Middleton town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

867

Milton town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

2,146

New Durham town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,581

Rochester city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

14,582

Rollinsford town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,135

Somersworth city, Strafford County, New Hampshire

5,325

Strafford town, Strafford County, New Hampshire

1,837

Acworth town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

513

Charlestown town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

2,261

Claremont city, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

5,941

Cornish town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

761

Croydon town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

401

Goshen town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

429

Grantham town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,793

Langdon town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

311

Lempster town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

656

Newport town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

2,922

Plainfield town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,000

Springfield town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

654

Sunapee town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

2,409

Unity town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

700

Washington town, Sullivan County, New Hampshire

1,046