What Is Workforce Housing & Why Do We Need It?
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Workforce Housing - What Is It?

Workforce Housing is a broad range of owner and renter housing that meets the needs of New Hampshire’s diverse workforce. Workforce Housing is permanent housing that is affordable to the average household in our communities.

Workforce Housing - Why Do We Need It?

Our young people are moving out of NH due to a lack of affordable housing. We call it the "Graying" of New Hampshire. Affordable housing is essential for all of us – individuals, communities, and our economy. According to federal standards, housing is considered to be affordable when it costs no more than 30% of total household income. Simply put – affordability is relative to one’s income and includes all ranges of income.
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The affordable housing issue in Greater Nashua represents not only a discrepancy between income and housing costs, but a lack of housing choice as well. Limited options exist for both buyers and renters.
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Workforce Housing - Who Needs It?

Our communities are strengthened when people working in the community can afford to live there, too!

  • Your child's teacher needs it.
  • Our hospital employees need it.
  • Our retail & service workers need it.
  • The police, firefighters, and emergency responders you rely on need it.

Employers repeatedly cite the housing shortage as a major deterrent in both employee recruitment and retention. In a 2008 survey of New Hampshire business 82% agree or strongly agree that the cost of rental housing was high relative to incomes, and 88% agreed or strongly agreed that the cost of housing to purchase was also high relative to incomes. The high cost of housing has caused employees to seek housing outside of the towns surrounding their employer’s location, increasing commuting time. Lengthy commutes have an impact on employee performance, detract from time spent with family and in the community, and add to growing traffic concerns. In addition, the high levels of out-migration among young adults from the state are negatively impacting the state. One of the primary reasons for their out migration is the absence of affordable housing. "This exodus will leave New Hampshire with slowing workforce growth, declining numbers of children-the future workforce-and a population aging at an even faster rate due to increasing numbers of older residents".
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What are the solutions?

Quality design, placement, and land use are vital to accomplishing this goal. Changes in restrictive zoning requirements will facilitate the adoption of “smart growth” principles for the creation of walk-able neighborhoods that offer a variety of housing types and opportunities. Mixed-use development will help to strengthen the existing infrastructure of our communities, promoting independence in our citizens. Adaptive re-use is an effective way to preserve historical integrity, while serving the housing needs of our community. Municipalities can offer incentives to developers who commit to producing affordable housing units. Employer-driven solutions such as relocation assistance and forgivable loans are also helpful tools. State and local efforts have been initiated in New Hampshire to provide an adequate supply of housing options for our present and future workforce.

Greater Nashua Workforce Housing

Greater Nashua Workforce Housing Coalition was formed to address the challenges of bringing moderately priced housing to the region through the construction or rehabilitation of existing structures. The goals of the coalition include the development of broad-based interest and support for the need for affordable housing for low to moderate income households, public engagement about housing’s impact on the economic vitality of the region, and encouraging the production of workforce housing by promoting best practices “smart-growth” techniques. United Way and over 30 other non-profit organizations, for-profit companies and local governments participate in the Coalition.
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State and local efforts are underway throughout New Hampshire to provide an adequate supply of housing options for our present and future workforce. Greater Nashua Workforce Housing Coalition represents a regional approach to increasing the opportunities for our workforce in support of a healthy economy, while enhancing the sense of community.

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