Print
Share page with AddThis

LRPC Housing Needs in the Lakes Region

Posted on: May 16, 2022 - 3:40pm

Lakes Region Planning Commission has Launched a Housing Project to Assess Needs, Recommend Solutions

The Lakes Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) project has two surveys available:
  • a community survey, that encourages those living and working in the region to share what impact the housing situation has had on them; what has worked, and what changes might be beneficial to communities and residents. The link to the Lakes Region’s Housing Needs Survey is available at https://arcg.is/0jrjfX

or scan this QR code.      Qr codeDescription automatically generated

  • an employer survey, that seeks to find out the impact that housing may have had on employers in the Lakes Region along with any suggestions that they have for addressing it. The link to the Housing Needs Survey is available for Employers at https://arcg.is/1ufaz1

or scan this QR code.      Qr codeDescription automatically generated

At the conclusion of the project, the regional planning commission will use this survey data, along with other qualitative and quantitative information from a variety of sources to provide resources, strategies, and recommendations to Lakes Region municipalities, to assist in their efforts to ensure housing availability.

Housing is an important Lakes Region issue which largely impacts the current and future economy, character and livability of our communities. In New Hampshire and throughout the country, available housing is scarce, putting a strain on working families and making it difficult for some businesses to recruit and retain workers.

  • In October 2021, the statewide median sales price was $375,000, almost 13% higher than October 2020 (NH Housing Market Snapshot, 2021).   
  • In 2021 the two-bedroom median gross rent increased to $1,498, up 6% from the previous year.  
  • NH vacancy rates have fallen to under 1% (0.9%), 0.6% for two-bedroom units (NH Housing Rental Survey Report, 2021).  
  • To afford the statewide median cost of a typical two-bedroom apartment with utilities, a New Hampshire renter would have to earn 128% of the estimated statewide median renter income, or lrpcover $59,900 a year (NH Housing Rental Survey Report, 2021). 

The trends and challenges affecting housing in New Hampshire and the Lakes Region are being studied as part of a project conducted by the Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) in partnership with the state’s eight other regional planning commissions, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ Office of Planning and Development, and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. It is funded by an American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant.

For more information on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment visit our Housing webpage at https://www.lakesrpc.org/serviceshousing.asp or contact the Lakes Region Planning Commission at djeffers@lakesrpc.org or 603.279.5341.