New Hampshire Leaders Discuss Housing Crisis
Officials and business leaders gathered in Concord to explore new strategies for addressing the state's housing supply.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Residential
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize changing zoning laws to increase housing availability?
Business leaders and advocates convened at Arts Alley in Concord to address the state's ongoing housing market scarcity and high costs. About 110 attendees participated in the forum to discuss potential solutions and advocacy strategies.
Why it matters
The forum aimed to bridge the gap between economic development and housing availability in a market defined by limited supply. Participants highlighted the need for actionable programs to improve affordability for state residents.
The forum hosted approximately 110 participants, including businesspeople and nonprofit advocates. Panelists examined the role of resident-owned manufactured housing communities as a model for future development.
The players
Rob Dapice
He serves as the executive director and CEO of New Hampshire Housing.
Tara Reardon
She is a Democratic State Senator representing the city of Concord.
Kait Gallagher
She is the director of development and communication for the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness.
Brian Goldstone
He is the author of the book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America.
The details
Speakers at the event identified exclusionary local zoning laws as significant obstacles to increasing housing density in the region. The panel also reviewed housing challenges through the lens of recent national research, including insights from author Brian Goldstone.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Business leaders and advocates held the housing forum in Concord.
Culture Shift
The focus on zoning reform reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing density and resident-owned housing models. This departure from legacy development standards aims to counteract the limitations of traditional, low-density residential planning.
The discussion underscores potential future changes to local zoning requirements that could impact housing availability for state residents. Residents may see increased advocacy for manufactured housing projects as developers and officials push for expanded community options.
The takeaway
Addressing the state's housing crisis requires a combination of regulatory reform and innovative ownership models. Communities are increasingly looking toward diverse residential options to ensure long-term affordability and supply.
Further reading
Learn more about local real estate trends and policy developments on the New Hampshire Residential section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Concord Monitor.
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize changing zoning laws to increase housing availability?
