INCENTIVIZE WORKFORCE HOUSING?

FAST-TRACK FIXES CAN UNLOCK HOUSING POTENTIAL

Dear Portsmouth resident,

SAVE THE DATE: HOUSING NEEDS YOUR VOICE

Thursday, July 10 at 5:30pm at City Hall. We know current incentives have produced no more than a trickle of new homes. Let's see what our consultants, RKG, came up with. This is where the numbers meet real policy change: density bonuses, affordability targets, and other tweaks are on the table.

Show up, grill the experts, and tell City staff what will (and won’t) work for renters, families, and local employers. Your feedback shapes the next set of zoning fixes—so if you care about keeping Portsmouth livable, be in the room. No slides-only snoozefest: expect a crisp presentation, Q&A, and plenty of time at the mic.

WE CAN'T WAIT 2 YEARS TO ADDRESS HOUSING

We've started our new Master Plan, a vital process where the city and its residents articulate what they want for a future Portsmouth. Housing will be a critical component, but we simply cannot wait until its adopted two years from now.

PICK LOW-HANGING FRUIT NOW

There are easy short-term zoning fixes that can unlock substantial housing potential. Zoning can be dense and dull: here's a normal-person proposal from us housing advocates. You're welcome :-). 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

A quick email really helps — just a brief message to say you want the city to move faster on housing. Meanwhile, each home sale whittles away at our community as a place where people of varying means can live.

✅ Contact all Councilors here.

✅ Planning Board here.

✅ Housing Committee here.

Better yet, attend or Zoom into a meeting (see meeting details below).  

UPCOMING MEETINGS

⭐ Housing Committee ⭐ July 10 at 5:30pm Council Chambers

Details: Workforce Housing Incentives Public Meeting (RKG presentation)

Planning Board July 17 at 7pm Council Chambers 

Agenda to be advised

RECENT MEETINGS

Housing Committee June 12. Summary of zoning reform discussion

NEXT TIME: DOVER LEADING THE WAY

Learn how the city of Dover facilitated a unique approach to creating permanently affordable cottages in a village cluster. We can do that too.

NEW MASTER PLAN PROCESS STARTS SOON

A once-in-a-decade chance to help shape future Portsmouth. Housing will be a key topic. The City has begun early citizen outreach. You can sign up for email updates here.

HOUSING ADVOCATE SHOUT OUT

Meet Mark Kinney. He moved from Brooklyn to the North Mill Pond neighborhood 2 years ago to be closer to family and raise their two kids. His work in technology recently brought him into contact with YIMBY Action — a rapidly growing, nationwide organization that advocates for new housing. He brings great skills and enthusiam to housing advocacy in Portsmouth. Thanks, Mark!