Upper Valley Housing Coalition

What is the Housing Coalition doing about the situation?

The work of the Housing Coalition can be described broadly as working to educate, advocate, and legislate.
Under the direction of the Steering Committee, four Action Groups have been established: Community Outreach (COAG), Local Zoning and Land Use (LZLUAG), Public/Private Partnerships (P/PPAG), and Legislative.
A primary goal is to promote an informed citizenry so the facts and current information are available to everyone. To this end, the Coalition is working on a broad education and awareness campaign.
The Coalition has established a review process for housing proposals. The Review Team judges applications through the lens of our Project Endorsement Guidelines. For those that are consistent, the Coalition will work to support a proposal by informing those who live and/or do business in the community so they can have accurate information and make an informed choice about endorsing a project in their town.
To help bridge the affordability gap, a sub-committee is working on creating a Housing Trust Fund.

Are there any other groups specifically working in this?

Yes. Both New Hampshire and Vermont have very active statewide groups (of which the Housing Coalition is an active member). These organizations are a great resource of information and support, as well as a good link to the ongoing work in Concord and Montpelier.
Locally, several towns (Norwich and Woodstock) have established affordable housing committees and the Hanover Selectboard created an affordable housing commission.
Twin Pines Housing Trust and Rockingham Area Community Land Trust are local nonprofit developers of low income housing. They are working successfully to build homes so that all ranges of the economic spectrum can have access to housing options.
Regional Planning Commissions offer ongoing support and training to planning boards and commissions and other municipal officials on planning issues including housing.

As a citizen, is there anything I can do?

Yes. Join the Housing Coalition as a Leadership Partner.
Become involved in one of the four Action Groups in the Coalition.
Become informed about your community’s zoning and land use regulations.
Get involved in the Master Plan process in your town/city.
Become informed and speak about housing initiatives that are proposed.
Join a Board or Commission in your community.
Help to convene workshops and forums in your hometown or at your place of business.

FAQ - V Is Anything Being Done to Address the Housing Shortage, and How Can I Help?

What is the Housing Coalition doing about the situation? The work of the Housing Coalition can be described broadly as working to educate, advocate, and legislate. Under the direction of the Steering Committee, four Action Groups have been established: Community Outreach (COAG), Local Zoning and Land Use (LZLUAG), Public/Private Partnerships (P/PPAG), and Legislative. A primary goal is to promote an informed citizenry so the facts and current information are available to everyone. To this end, the Coalition is working on a broad education and awareness campaign. The Coalition has established a review process for housing proposals. The Review Team judges applications through the lens of our Project Endorsement Guidelines. For those that are consistent, the Coalition will work to support a proposal by informing those who live and/or do business in the community so they can have accurate information and make an informed choice about endorsing a project in their town. To help bridge the affordability gap, a sub-committee is working on creating a Housing Trust Fund. Are there any other groups specifically working in this? Yes. Both New Hampshire and Vermont have very active statewide groups (of which the Housing Coalition is an active member). These organizations are a great resource of information and support, as well as a good link to the ongoing work in Concord and Montpelier. Locally, several towns (Norwich and Woodstock) have established affordable housing committees and the Hanover Selectboard created an affordable housing commission. Twin Pines Housing Trust and Rockingham Area Community Land Trust are local nonprofit developers of low income housing. They are working successfully to build homes so that all ranges of the economic spectrum can have access to housing options. Regional Planning Commissions offer ongoing support and training to planning boards and commissions and other municipal officials on planning issues including housing. As a citizen, is there anything I can do? Yes. Join the Housing Coalition as a Leadership Partner. Become involved in one of the four Action Groups in the Coalition. Become informed about your community’s zoning and land use regulations. Get involved in the Master Plan process in your town/city. Become informed and speak about housing initiatives that are proposed. Join a Board or Commission in your community. Help to convene workshops and forums in your hometown or at your place of business.