HOUSING

Lakes Region Housing Needs Assessment

Housing is an important issue; it helps determines the longevity and sustainability of our region and its economic development. 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.
Throughout 2022, the Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) will address housing issues head on as part of its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). We will examine data, conduct analyses, and collect feedback from regional stakeholders to identify and prioritize the Lakes Region’s top housing issues. This project will look in-depth at the housing needs of our Region across all income levels. The final report will provide a foundation for change by including tools, recommendations, and strategies for local decision makers to address this problem in their communities.

Community engagement is critical for this project, and we are hoping to hear from those who live in the region! Tell us about how the housing crisis has impacted you personally, your business, or your community. What do you think would help and what do you hope to see in your community?

Share what you think by taking our General Public survey here: Lakes Region Housing Needs Survey.

Un aspecto importante de este proyecto es la colaboración ciudadana, por lo que nos gustaría oír de usted. Por favor díganos como la falta de vivienda le ha impacto a personalmente, en su trabajo o negocio, o en su comunidad.

Para tomar esta encuesta en español, por favor visite este enlace: Evaluación Regional de Necesidades de Vivienda.
 

Do you own or run a business in the Lakes Region? If so, we want to hear from you!
Do you think that the availability and/or cost of housing is a factor in attracting and retaining employees?

We want to hear thoughts people who run businesses of all sizes and types. Please take a few minutes to complete the Lakes Region Employers Housing Needs Survey.
 
 
The RHNA is a state-mandated requirement for all nine regional planning commissions in New Hampshire per RSA 36:47.II. The purpose of the RHNA is to assess “the regional need for housing for persons and families of all levels of income” every five years.  As LRPC gathers housing related information for the assessment in our region, we will be coordinating with the other NH regional planning commissions and the State Office of Planning and Development. Together we will leverage each other’s resources and advance a unified approach to determine housing needs across the State.

Our work will include gathering and analyzing datasets on housing and socio-economic demographics from the US Census and other sources. We will also collect information from the public along with local and regional experts, such as:
  • planning boards,
  • developers,
  • social service agencies,
  • property managers and more.
Outreach strategies include surveys, on-one-one interviews, focus groups, and conversations on the topic of housing in the Lakes Region. The 2022 RHNA will weave quantitative and qualitative information together to tell the story of housing in our region. The final report will contain:
  • data,
  • analyses,
  • strategies,
  • recommendations,
  • tools, and
  • resources
for local decision-makers to address housing issues around the Lakes Region.  

Project details
Funded by: American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Grant
Project period: September 2021 — December 2022
Partnering with: NH Housing, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, Southwest Regional Planning Commission, Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, Rockingham Planning Commissions, North Country Council, NH Office of Planning and Development, Nashua Regional Planning Commission, and Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission.