--- title: Progress Portsmouth - Our Story --- Progress Portsmouth # How to make a difference on housing Every level of involvement matters. Pick what fits your life — even 15 minutes can shift a decision. Filter by time: All Low — 15 min Medium — 1–2 hrs High — ongoing Low Email the City Council Advocate for specific actions and support elected officials balancing negative voices. If you check the public record box, your email is included in the packet for the next Council meeting. [Email all councilors →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/citycouncil/contact-all-city-councilors#no-back) Low Write a postal letter to City Council Letters mailed to City Hall are included in the Council packet as letters — they carry more weight than emails listed in a batch. [Mailing details →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/profiles/contacting-city-portsmouth) Low Meet a councilor for coffee Lobby for specific initiatives, develop relationships. This can be surprisingly effective — councilors value residents who show up and care about issues. [Find your councilor →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/citycouncil) Low Talk to city staff directly City staff are usually happy to meet informally with residents. Education flows both ways — your perspective as a resident matters to how they approach their work. [Staff directory →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/city/city-department-telephone-directory) Low Write a Letter to the Editor Reach a wide Seacoast audience. Follow the LTE guidelines and keep it focused on one point. Short letters get published more often. [Submit to SeacoastOnline →](mailto:opinion@seacoastonline.com) Low Stay informed and spread the word Follow print and social media, the city newsletter, and housing-related projects. If you're informed, you can inform others — conversations with neighbors matter more than you think. [City newsletter →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/city/welcome-portsmouths-community-newsletter) Med Attend key city meetings Show visible support for housing projects. A short prepared statement is fine. Zoom is available for most meetings — voice-only works. You don't need to stay for the entire meeting. [Housing Committee](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/planportsmouth/housing-committee) [Planning Board](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/planportsmouth/planning-board) [ZBA](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/planportsmouth/zoning-board-adjustment) [HDC](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/planportsmouth/historic-district-commission) [Full meetings calendar →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/city-municipal-meetings-calendar) Med Track key housing projects Get specific projects on your radar through local media and land use board agendas. Knowing what's in the pipeline means you can show up at the right meeting at the right time. [SeacoastOnline →](https://www.seacoastonline.com/) Med Write a Guest View for SeacoastOnline Larger impact than a letter to the editor. Pitch directly to the executive editor. Data-driven, solution-oriented pieces tend to get published. [Pitch to editor →](mailto:haltschiller@seacoastonline.com) Med Speak up for the missing voices Land use boards almost never hear from the people who would actually benefit from rental housing projects. Identify projects early and make sure renters' perspectives are represented — even if you're a homeowner. Med Volunteer with advocacy organizations Contribute your skills to a group of like-minded volunteers working on housing across the Seacoast. [Home for All](https://homeforall-seacoast.org/) [Workforce Housing Coalition](https://www.seacoastwhc.org/) [Gather](https://www.gathernh.org/) Med Participate in the Master Plan process The 2025–26 Master Plan update is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to embed housing priorities into the city's guiding document. Draft Plan Open House: April 22, 2026. Surveys, comment cards, and neighborhood listening sessions are ongoing. [Master Plan info →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/planportsmouth/master-plan) Med Connect people through home sharing If you or someone you know is "overhoused" — more space than needed — home sharing programs match homeowners with residents looking for affordable housing. Maine already runs a successful model. [Maine's Nesterly program →](https://www.mainehousing.org/nesterly) High Apply for a land use board seat Board members make the land use decisions that determine whether housing gets built. Demanding role that requires relevant experience, but this is where policy becomes reality. Vacancies are posted by the City Clerk. [Current board vacancies →](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/cityclerk/vacancies) Questions? Need resources or talking points? [Get in touch](mailto:progressportsmouth@gmail.com) Low Medium High Created with AI assistance. Content reflects Progress Portsmouth's research and editorial judgment.