Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington presented competing plans for addressing New Hampshire’s housing shortage and rising costs during a Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Ayotte said housing is the state’s “number-one economic challenge” and described it as a priority of her administration. She pointed to changes intended to streamline housing permitting at the state level and to her signing of an updated commercial property-assessed clean energy and resiliency program, known as C-PACER.
Warmington said housing would be her top priority if elected. She proposed creating a “housing czar” to develop a statewide housing plan and said the state should invest more in the affordable housing trust fund and the Housing Champions program.
Warmington said she would make housing the central focus of her administration.
Dispute over housing funding
The candidates also disagreed over how much state support has been directed toward housing programs. Warmington said Ayotte had not invested in the affordable housing trust fund or Housing Champions at the level needed to address the problem.
Ayotte disputed that characterization. She said $10 million had been placed in the affordable housing fund through the real estate transfer tax and remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act money. Ayotte cited the Mohawk Tannery development in Nashua as one project receiving support.
Ayotte also said the state had placed $5 million into the Housing Champions program and that $2.5 million had been spent. State law directs $5 million in annual real estate transfer tax revenue to the affordable housing fund, while the budget Ayotte signed did not assign additional money to that fund or dedicate state funding to Housing Champions, according to a clarification included in the forum coverage.
Private equity and housing supply
Warmington identified private equity ownership as another part of the housing problem. She said large investment firms buying housing can affect prices and availability, adding the issue to her broader call for a statewide housing strategy.
The discussion took place as both candidates campaign for governor. Ayotte is seeking another term, while Warmington is challenging her. The forum was the Greater Nashua Chamber’s second event in its “Conversation with the Candidates” series. The chamber previously hosted a forum featuring congressional candidates on Oct. 19.
- Ayotte cited state permitting changes, C-PACER and housing program spending.
- Warmington proposed a housing czar and increased investment in affordable housing programs.
- The candidates disputed the amount of state funding directed to housing initiatives.
