FEB 2026: LATEST ON HOUSING

Support the overwhelming need for a Housing Action Plan
Crisis persists: what rents cost today Track housing-related city meetings How we fix it: a Housing Action Plan Media stories and why they're failing
IDEAS FOR SMALLER LIVING: ADUs AND CO-LIVING
Lincoln Ave townhouse 2

WHY ZONING REFORM IS IMPORTANT

These handsome townhouses on leafy Lincoln Avenue would not comply with zoning rules today.

Given today's critical need for all kinds of housing, we need zoning regulations that make sense now. In order to build those townhouses today (an excellent housing type when buildable land is scarce), an applicant would have to go through a time-consuming and expensive process to convince the Zoning Board of Adjustment that an exception is justified. Enabling "soft density" in Portsmouth's many residential areas is vital if the City is to meet its housing goals. Discussions about zoning reform will be a key component of the coming Master Plan process.

A CHALLENGE, BUT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS
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Homeowners: room on your lot?
Interested in an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)? We've condensed the City's 40-page booklet to just one-page. At a glance, see if it works for you.

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Sample co-living

Developers: explore co-living projects?
Portsmouth now allows co-living projects in its downtown, gateway, and character districts. Co-living is an ideal, innovative concept for housing residents who require little space and want a sense of community. We've created a one-page primer with the basics.

Meet the advocates
Sign up to join us 

Allison Burridge
Allie Burridge 
Bella Romero
Bella Romero
Patricia Martine
Patricia Martine
Gerald Duffy
Gerald Duffy 
Marcio von Mulhen
Marcio von Mulhen
Kara Rodenhizer
Kara Rodenhizer
Logan Roy
Logan Roy
Robin Schnell
Robin Schnell 
Emmy Ham
Emmy Ham
Jim Smalley
Jim Smalley
Aly McKnight
Aly McKnight
Ben VanCamp
Ben VanCamp
Andrea Pickett
Andrea Pickett
Mark Kinney
Mark Kinney
LIVE HOUSING DASHBOARD
Housing Pipeline Blues
RECENT NEWSLETTERS

Jan 27, 2026: We Need An Housing Action Plan
Dec 21, 2025: Business As Usual Won't Work
Oct 16, 2025: Crystal Clear Message from Voters
Sept 15, 2025: Housing Pipeline Blues
Aug 12, 2025: Many Pieces to the Housing Puzzle
July 8, 2025: No Time to Delay With Housing
June 10, 2025: Housing Game-Change
June 5, 2025: The Latest On Portsmouth Housing
May 13, 2025: Co-Living Arrives in Portsmouth
April 24, 2025: Breaking: 240 Units of Affordable Units
April 12, 2025: What Housing Is Up Against
April 5, 2025: Speak Up For Housing
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OUR PARTNERS

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A DEEP DIVE: RESOURCES

Harvard: State of The Nation's Housing 2025

2022 Housing Market Study for Portsmouth Housing Authority

2024 Rockingham Planning Commission: Regional Needs Housing Assessment

NH Dept of Business and Economic Affairs: 2024 Assessment of Housing Supply

NH Housing Finance Authority: 2024-5 Biennial Housing Plan

Strong Towns: Is Your Town Housing Ready?

LAND USE BOARDS IN A NUTSHELL

The City's permitting process isn't exactly child's play, but after 240 seconds you'll be able to explain the basics to your children, or grandmother.

POSITIVE VOICES FOR HOUSING

Our Councilors and board members get a regular earful from the naysayers. Who they don't hear from — and would love to — is you! Someone who cares about the city's housing crisis and wants to support initiatives to solve it. Even if your life is wicked busy, there are small things you can do that will make a difference.
Dive in here and learn how.