Lower Housing Prices: Pass Senate Bill 557

Senate Bill 557 is making its way through the House of Representatives right now. It seeks to establish a state Housing Appeals Board in New Hampshire. At present, when a Planning or Zoning Board makes a questionable decision, the only remedy for the applicant is in Superior Court. This is a long and expensive process. These types of actions only add to the rising cost of building new housing in our state. If a developer has to factor $250,000 in legal fees just to get a subdivision of ten homes approved, then each home will cost $25,000 more before the first nail is set. Lowering legal costs will help many buyers in the housing market by reducing the price of each new home. It will also speed up the development process in order to create more housing stock. There is a big shortage of homes in New Hampshire and we need to improve the market in order to continue growing our economy; the two go hand in hand.

SB557 will require a hearing within 90 days and a decision with 60 days thereafter. This is far better than the present time tables in the already overburdened and underfunded Superior Court systems in our state. Some cases have taken three years to decide only to see funding dry up for the developer. This process will create better balance for everyone.

Please contact your legislators and ask them to vote Yes on SB557 when it comes up for a vote in the House.