On December 13th, the Center for Ethics in Society hosted its 7th Annual “Housing We Need” Roundtable Forum to address housing challenges in New Hampshire. Stakeholders from across the state gathered to discuss these issues and potential solutions with newly elected officials.
With the theme "A Time for Change," the event attracted over 180 attendees who participated in collaborative breakout discussions. Key ideas that emerged included community education, zoning reforms, and the need to address rent increases.
College President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. set the tone with powerful opening remarks Reflecting on the Church’s long-standing commitment to social justice, Favazza referred to Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 teaching, which established housing as a fundamental human right within Catholic social teachings.
Dr. Marc Rugani the director of the Center for Ethics in Society emphasized “Housing continues to be a priority of the utmost importance for our state and region, ranging from issues with availability, access, affordability, and community impact.” He continued, “We have made housing a core focus of our contribution to our community engagement, and Saint Anselm College remains committed to this issue.”
Newly elected N.H. Governor Kelly Ayotte attended as a special guest and took part in a moderated interview with Elissa Margolin, the recently appointed director of the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice at Saint Anselm College. During the conversation, Ayotte emphasized the importance of supporting the Affordable Housing Fund and backing legislation to expand the use of accessory dwelling units (ADU). She also called for an overhaul of the state agency and permitting process to streamline applications, aiming for approval within a 60-day period.
Also presented were updates to the NH Zoning Atlas, including a preview of the new water and sewer data layer. Results from the 2024 annual statewide poll on voter attitudes toward affordable housing were shared, highlighting that 75% of New Hampshire voters believe their communities need more affordable housing. Creative solutions, such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), were discussed in depth during a panel sponsored by AARP New Hampshire and moderated by Stephanie Schuyler of AARP.
"The energy in the auditorium during the conference was palpable," noted Margolin. "Forum attendees embraced this year's theme, noting that 2025 may open many new doors for addressing New Hampshire's serious housing crisis. Talking with the incoming governor about aligning her housing plan with these opportunities generated much needed optimism for addressing the challenges ahead."
Participants included state and local leaders, planners, developers, policymakers, advocates, homeless service providers, housing financiers, property managers, real estate experts, and business leaders. Additionally, newly elected Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) and Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais were in attendance.
“I’d like to think that over these seven years we’ve helped move the needle a little bit on knowledge and information, on some of our attitudes and perceptions in the state, certainly, hopefully, on legislation and policy,” said Max Latona, executive director of the college’s newly created Office of Partnerships.