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TheMobyDicks t1_j7l82t8 wrote

If you like this and want to see more of it, please support SB 202 - being heard at committee next week - by emailing jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us your support.

Here's the bill text:

https://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/billText.aspx?sy=2023&id=1011&txtFormat=html

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vexingsilence t1_j7mplhf wrote

Why should taxpayers be on the hook for the $5M appropriation? I'm guessing that's going to come from property tax, which just makes home ownership more expensive.

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TheMobyDicks t1_j7peqe0 wrote

The bill seeks to assist with new technologies that make new housing more affordable, including the 3D printing of homes. Mandalorian here - This is the Way. 3D printing, especially as it continues to evolve, is 100% the solution. Homes built more cheaply, faster and more sustainably is the only way to attack the housing crisis. Please look into it; they've already started in Maine and Texas. It will be mainstream in the next five years. New Hampshire needs to get onboard quickly and not be left behind like we are with solar.

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vexingsilence t1_j7ptu5z wrote

If the construction method has merit, home fabricators will use it themselves. Why are the property owners in NH getting fleeced for $5M to pay for this?

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TheMobyDicks t1_j7pveoe wrote

Fair question. I'll reply at the end, but here is the pertinent language in the bill:

I. The homeownership innovations fund shall be used by the authority to make grants and loans to eligible applicants for the purpose of fostering innovations in the development and financing of entry-level homes for owner occupancy.

II. The authority shall consider a wide range of alternatives and solutions to affordable entry-level homeownership, including such approaches as 3D printing of homes, low cost and highly sustainable sources of energy and energy efficiency, and other concepts that will provide New Hampshire homeowners with the most advanced and most affordable alternatives available.

The impetus is to incentivize applicants that create or seek to create innovations that result in affordable housing. It's a pittance, but a start. The money would go to NHHFA, who has an exemplary reputation for using resources responsibly.

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vexingsilence t1_j7pwb66 wrote

This is a form of corporate welfare, isn't it? If a new construction process is going to save money, builders will jump on it. Why do they need to be incentivized by people that already own homes? If anything, maybe it should be a temporary break on property tax payments to the state for the housing that's being constructed using those methods.

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TheMobyDicks t1_j7pyx1v wrote

Innovation costs money, just like in any industry or process. These dollars represent NH's effort to create some new process to attack what I think is the state's most pressing need, creating affordable housing.

On this issue and legislation, I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

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vexingsilence t1_j7pzy36 wrote

On behalf of other property owners in the state.. please disagree with your own money. Thanks.

This scheme provides zero benefit to the people that will have to pay for it.

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[deleted] t1_j7m606i wrote

[deleted]

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TheMobyDicks t1_j7pe2om wrote

The reason to email Senator Bradley is that - my opinion - if he supports the legislation, it passes. With a Republican House, Senate and Governor, the Senate President is uniquely positioned to influence most bills. Writing your own reps and signing in online in support should be done as well.

Asking for 87K friends, can you tell me (read: us) how to sign in online?

Thanks!

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rahnster_wright t1_j7plckk wrote

Hi Darren :-)

I see - when I initially read your comment, I assumed Bradley was the sponsor and emailing the sponsor (when they aren't your rep) is silly because the sponsor is obviously already onboard. Yes, emailing the Senate President is a good idea. He may ignore folks who aren't his constituents. That's always the risk of emailing not your rep.

I won't email my rep because she's one of the sponsors and obviously already on board.

Signing in online is easy:

  1. Go to www.gencourt.state.nh.us
  2. Scroll to the bottom where you'll sign "Senate Remote Sign In"
  3. You'll need the date of the public hearing, committee, and bill #
  4. Submit!

It looks like it's going to Senate Commerce on 2/14 at 9:45 am. Folks can also show up in person to testify.

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TheMobyDicks t1_j7psat3 wrote

Thanks Sarah. I'll be there as will John R. and a few others. The main sponsor told me that there is some concern that this will compete with the Innis bill. I disagree - both are needed. She also said that Ben F. helped write it. My hopes are someone from your office will be on hand to support.

Also note HB 177 which expands 79-E to include parcels of land in a community where there is "public benefit". This is a game changer for affordable housing for communities of the willing. In other words, if attainable/affordable housing is deemed by a community a public benefit, they could create a 79-E zone and maintain level taxes for up to 9 years (I'd have to explain but will L8R) on any one property in that zone despite new taxable growth - a huge incentive for a developer. Likewise a town, as part of the 79-E contract, could make as a condition to accepting such an incentive that the property remain affordable in perpetuity by covenant. To wit:

"II.(a) "Qualifying [structure] property" means a building or parcel of land located in a district officially designated in a municipality's master plan, or by zoning ordinance, as a downtown, town center, central business district, or village center, or, where no such designation has been made, in a geographic area which, as a result of its compact development patterns and uses, is identified by the governing body as the downtown, town center, [or] village center, or area of a municipality where revitalization and development would be a public benefit for purposes of this chapter."

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