The Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition was established as a non-profit corporation in 2005 and is an established 501c3 with the State of New Hampshire. The Board of Directors is composed of individuals representing community, business, health, construction, and education entities from the rural towns east of Lake Winnipesaukee. Our purpose is to promote responsible housing for our local workforce. Why We Exist:
Community Master Plans and regional statistics indicate that a growing number of people in our area can’t find affordable places to live. While salaries have remained level, the cost of housing has risen dramatically in the past decade. A lack of affordable/workforce housing close to jobs and services stifles economic growth,increases traffic problems, creates worker stress, and affects the quality of life in our communities. Retail, service, clerical, health care, child care, public safety, and small business workers cannot afford to rent or purchase suitable homes. Lack of affordable housing forces many families to pay far more than 30% of their income for housing, or live in overcrowded, substandard conditions. Well-kept, reasonably priced housing can provide individuals and families with safe and healthy places to live. The Housing Coalition is taking a comprehensive approach to this issue. The communities in our region share one economy, road system, school district, health system, and common recreational programs. Because we are so closely interconnected, we must work together to find effective solutions to the workforce housing shortage. Our Approach Includes:
Providing community education regarding the need for housing and how this shortage impacts our towns. Working with town officials and planning boards to create town ordinances that promote workforce housing. Identifying and accessing private, local, state and federal resources to keep new and rehabilitation construction affordable. Our Goal:
Our goal is to create a diversity of housing in our region to ensure that all of our friends, neighbors and family members can find affordable housing in their own communities. A diversity of housing means the creation of a mix of housing types including market-rate, affordable, and mixed income housing. It includes both ownership and rental opportunities in single and multi-family options. Options for more modest-sized and lower-priced homes are critical to the life and economy of our region. What You Can Do To Help:
We need our community’s involvement and support. Please contact us if you are interested in joining a committee, being an on-call volunteer, or offering your financial support. You can help with community education, advocate for affordable workforce housing with local and elected officials, or support responsible housing and zoning proposals.
