Annie Hopkins

Q1. What is the biggest problem Portsmouth is facing, and how would you solve it?

I think housing affordability and availability is Portsmouth’s defining challenge. It’s the thread that pulls on everything else: workforce retention, traffic and parking pressure, family stability, and who gets to belong here. Public engagement and city-commissioned studies keep landing on the same point: supply is tight, prices keep rising, and our current incentives don’t reliably deliver below-market units. To keep Portsmouth a place where families can thrive, we need homes that match real incomes and a city that’s easy for people of all ages and abilities to navigate—safe sidewalks, reliable transit, and predictable parking — with child care that’s easier to find. The council’s job is to set clear standards, invest where it counts, measure results, and keep residents at the table.

Q2. Portsmouth’s budget has reached nearly $150 million and its payroll has 260-plus people earning $100 000-plus. As a city councilor, what steps would you take, if any, to address the tax burden on residents?

$100,000 sounds like a lot on paper, but in Portsmouth, it often means you’re able to cover your mortgage or rent, support a family, and save a little for retirement — not live extravagantly. I don’t see paying teachers, firefighters, and city workers a fair, competitive wage as the problem. The real question is: how do we manage the overall budget so residents can afford to live here, too? That means smarter planning, sustainable growth, and making sure every dollar we spend delivers value to the people of Portsmouth.

Q3. With affordability being such a challenge in Portsmouth, what would you do to make it more accessible to people with a wide range of incomes?

Affordability is not just about housing prices — it’s property taxes, child care, and everyday costs that add up. To keep our city livable for everyone, we need more housing choices at a range of price points, smart growth that expands the tax base, and targeted relief so seniors and working families aren’t pushed out. My goal is simple: Portsmouth should stay a place where young families, essential workers, seniors, and long-time residents can all afford to call home.

Q4. The Portsmouth Housing Authority has projected rents for the apartments the agency is building on city-owned land at the former Sherburne School will range from $1,580 for a one-bedroom unit to nearly $2,200 for three bedrooms. Are those rates low enough for working people? If not, what can be done to lower them?

If we take affordability to mean that housing costs are no more than 30% of gross income, then a one-bedroom at $1,580 requires about $63,000 a year ($30/hr), and a three-bedroom at $2,200 requires closer to $88,000 ($42/hr). That prices out single earners in childcare, food service, entry-level healthcare, nonprofits, and city labor jobs. Teachers, firefighters, police, and nurses can sometimes manage a one-bedroom, but family-sized units are out of reach unless there are two incomes. These rents are below market for Portsmouth (where 2-bedrooms often exceed $2,500), but they’re not “affordable” for people earning less than $60-80k/year. The Sherburne project is a step in the right direction, but it’s not the finish line. We need housing in Portsmouth that works for people across the income spectrum — not just those already near the top.

Q5. Should the city commit to using more city-owned land to build truly affordable housing or has Portsmouth done enough?

Portsmouth has taken real steps towards affordable housing. The Sherburne School project is a great example—using city-owned land to create more than a hundred deed-restricted, below-market units through the Housing Authority. While some neighboring towns have simply focused on long-term plans or zoning overlays, Portsmouth has moved further into actual production. That’s not to say we’ve solved the problem—housing here is still out of reach for many families—but it shows that we’re willing to lead with concrete action.

I believe we should continue to use city-owned land strategically, while also pursuing cost-effective measures like updated zoning, streamlined permitting, and accessory dwelling units. The next step is building on this momentum so teachers, nurses, and young families can continue to call Portsmouth home.

Q6. Should the city reconsider the scope of a potential police station and City Hall renovation and upgrade project with a projected $42 million cost?

Both our police station and City Hall are still operating in a century-old hospital, with only partial renovations from the ’80s and ’90s. A professional study flagged serious gaps—outdated systems, ADA non-compliance, and an undersized dispatch center that’s straining to keep up. Those are not optional fixes; we need safe, modern spaces for public safety and city services.

At the same time, $42 million is a major investment, and residents are right to ask if we can separate essentials from nice-to-haves. Earlier concepts soared past $70 million, so staying on the existing campus was the responsible move. Now the task is to right-size: fund core needs first—dispatch, holding, ADA, HVAC—and phase in enhancements as budget allows.

I believe we should refine the scope, not to delay, but to keep public trust and deliver a facility that’s safe, functional, and financially responsible—fixing what’s broken without overburdening taxpayers.

Q7. Should Portsmouth do something to encourage development at the McIntyre building site, where the owner says city zoning has made redevelopment difficult?

The McIntyre property sits in our Character District 4 (CD4) downtown district, which has special rules to keep new projects in scale with the historic core. If they want extra height or flexibility, the ordinance requires two things: at least half of the site must remain as open community space, and some of the housing created must be reserved for our workforce. McIntyre is also covered by a federal historic easement. That means the exterior can’t just be torn down; redevelopment has to respect the building’s historic character. Those rules do make development tricky, but they were in place when the property was purchased, and they reflect what residents have consistently asked for — more affordable places to live and a welcoming public square in the heart of downtown.

Portsmouth has a solid track record of working with developers who meet us there. We’ve approved projects that brought workforce housing, new walkways, and active storefronts because they gave something meaningful back to the community. McIntyre should be no different. Leaving the building empty isn’t good for anyone, but neither is lowering the bar. If the owner comes forward with a plan that delivers a public market, green space, and workforce housing, the city should move quickly and fairly to get it done. That’s how we honor our rules, respect our history, and turn McIntyre into a space that truly serves Portsmouth.

Q8. The City Council has put forward ideas to address traffic flow and walkability in high-profile locations like State Street and Congress Street. What is your opinion on these efforts?

I support people-first design — building wider sidewalks on Congress St. and studying the pros and cons of a two-way State Street are ways to intentionally create space for street life, making it easier for residents and customers to get around, and helping businesses thrive. The key is pairing these changes with clear wayfinding and parking guidance, so drivers can still find their way without frustration.

That balance — safety, accessibility, and downtown vitality — is what I believe Portsmouth should aim for.

Q9. Should the city begin looking for a site where it can build its third municipal parking garage? If so, what part of the city makes the most sense? If not, how can the city meet its increasing parking demand?

Our downtown has a real parking pinch and very limited spots for a new garage—mostly around Worth/Bridge/Court. I support a right-sized third garage there, paired with smart alternatives: event shuttles, better walking routes from existing garages, protected bike/e-bike parking, scooter corrals, employer commute incentives, and right-priced curb spaces with clear wayfinding. Build what we need—and shrink the need. That keeps downtown easy to reach, lowers traffic, and protects our historic neighborhoods.

Q10. What else would you like voters to know about you?

I’m not a career politician — and I see that as a strength. I grew up in a blue-collar town where hard work, fairness, and community were just how people lived. Those values shaped me, and they’re the same ones I carry as a mom raising a young son here, a small business owner, and a former volunteer firefighter who knows what it means to show up when neighbors need you.

Those experiences keep me grounded. I see how city decisions ripple into daily life — from housing costs to public safety to the feel of downtown. Even small things, like story time at the library, remind me how much families depend on city services funded by our budget and taxes. My work as a health care provider has also taught me to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and create solutions that work for real people.

I’m running because Portsmouth is strongest when everyday families, workers, and small business owners have a voice at the table. I’ll make sure those voices are heard.