Video: Housing champions
We were proud to receive the designation of “Housing Champions” in Hampton on Monday night.
Monday was Housing Day in Hampton, and we were proud to receive the Housing Champions distinction from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
The award recognizes the efforts on the part of our Town Planner, Planning Board, Master Plan Implementation Committee, and Select Board to make it easier to build more housing in Hampton.
But, anyone who follows Hampton politics knows there’s a lot more to the story.
Back in December of 2024, I asked a series of questions to Hampton’s contract assessor, Municipal Resources Inc., to try and better understand the roots of the housing crisis and how it’s impacted residents in Hampton. Watch here:
Almost every single day since I launched this campaign, I've heard the same thing from families with young kids, college students, and older people: “We love this state, but we’re not sure we can afford to stay.” Even if this is not your story, the housing crisis hurts all of us. As someone hoping to be your next representative in Congress, I want you to know not only how we got to this point — but exactly what I’ll fight for in order to turn things around.
Here’s the situation:
The median home price in NH has now reached $480,000 — a record high
76% of NH renters cannot afford the median-priced apartment
1 of every 2 renters in NH is considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 1/3 of their income just on rent — a rate that’s soared over the past decade
The annual household income needed to afford the average NH home is now over $150,000, but a typical household only earns $91,000 — leaving a massive gap that is locking out teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and young families
Starter homes — those under $300,000 — barely exist in most of the state’s communities
Local builders are struggling to compete with national giants and Wall Street investors, who buy up properties and drive up prices
There are so many stories behind these numbers—young couples delaying marriage or having kids, recent grads leaving the state, seniors living in their cars off of 101. It’s your grandparents priced out because of ever-higher property taxes and businesses and municipalities unable to hire because workers can’t afford to live here.
In Congress, I’ll fight to:
Empower New Hampshire's Local Builders: I’ll support new federal loan programs and accessible financing so small builders can compete again
Invest in our Communities: I’ll push for funding that enables cities and towns to build necessary infrastructure like water and sewer systems and roads
Crack down on Corporate Speculation and Land Hoarding: I’ll work to end tax breaks for hedge funds and private equity firms snapping up single-family homes and support caps on institutional ownership to protect opportunities for ordinary buyers and renters
Create Pathways to Affordable Housing: I’ll push for support for communities that modernize zoning so we can build the many different kinds of housing we need
Encourage Housing First HUD Policy: I’ll work with federal, state, and local partners to prioritize permanent housing solutions for homeless community members
Support Renters: I’ll work to expand Housing Choice Vouchers and protections for tenants
Bottom line: We can’t afford more of the same. Solving the housing crisis means standing up to corporate greed and outdated rules—and standing up for the people who make our communities strong. This is what putting people—not corporate interests—first looks like. Together, we can build a movement strong enough to enact real changes so that everyone can have a fair shot at a safe, affordable place to call home.
