Last week, New Hampshire Managing Director Dave Fenstermacher provided insights on affordable housing strategies at the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) annual conference. According to a recent statewide housing needs assessment, New Hampshire will need to create about 60,000 new homes by 2030 to keep up with growing housing demands. Dave presented alongside panelists from Market Square Architects and developer PROCON to discuss solutions to this current housing shortage through policy and partnerships between developers, planners, and state and local officials.
Dave focused on how local zoning ordinances are impacting affordable housing developments in the state, including height and density restrictions, parking regulations, state permitting requirements, and more.
“This was a great opportunity to show how developers can partner with local officials to advocate for policy initiatives that will advance affordable housing development across the state,” said Dave.
VHB has been collaborating with development teams to take on the housing crisis in New Hampshire, leveraging our knowledge of local zoning regulations, relationships with state agencies, and impactful community outreach. Dave highlighted some of our recent multifamily housing projects in New Hampshire, which have delivered a total of 783 units.
- Slate at Merrimack: VHB partnered with Monahan Companies and LeCesse Development Corporation to provide full permitting, design, and site and civil engineering services for this 224-unit multifamily rental community located in Merrimack Park Place, a mixed-use development.
- The Marek South: This 250-unit multifamily apartment complex is close to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth College, and the tech industries of New Hampshire’s Upper Valley, making it ideal for commuting professionals and graduate students. VHB delivered permitting, site planning, landscape architecture, and construction phase services to bring the development to life.
- Summit at Juniper: VHB assisted the development team, a Public-Private Partnership (P3) with the Michaels Organization and Dartmouth College, to provide a graduate student housing The development contains 309 units in four buildings, including 638 beds in fully furnished apartments with spacious layouts and modern amenities.
Our New Hampshire team enjoyed the opportunity to connect with industry colleagues at the NHMA Conference, which brings together more than 300 municipal officials to share tools and strategies for advancing their cities and towns. VHB's booth featured an interactive putt-putt challenge game with proceeds going to the New Hampshire Food Bank, providing a fun and engaging way to connect with clients and partners and create positive community impact.
