RELEASE: UNH Report Shows Strong Support for Manchester Zoning Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2024
CONTACT:
Matt Mooshian
(603) 454 - 8413
UNH Report Shows Strong Support for Manchester Zoning Changes
77% of Manchester residents agree, more homes are important.
MANCHESTER - The UNH Survey Center released the results of the 2024 City of Manchester Ordinance Survey which compiled public opinion on proposed zoning code changes, marking a significant benchmark in public engagement and consideration of the rules governing what housing options are legal to build and where. In response, the Manchester Neighbors Welcome coalition released the following statement with State Representative Alissandra Murray:
“The survey confirms a community consensus on the need for more housing,” said Jane Haigh, a representative from the Manchester Housing Alliance. “Respondents overall supported more housing, with 75% of respondents saying that duplexes fit very or somewhat well in their neighborhood, and 98% of renters saying it is important for the cost of homes to come down. Changing our laws to allow more homes to be built, of different sizes and prices, is critical to our future as a city. We call on the Zoning Ordinance Steering Committee and Board of Mayor and Alderman to update our zoning code to support housing development and increased affordability in Manchester.”
The Manchester Neighbors Welcome Coalition recognizes the many voices who shaped this survey over the past several months – our neighbors, community members, and people struggling to stay in this community. Through 99 pages of survey data, the report shows strong support for increased housing from a broad array of Manchester residents, young and old, renters and homeowners, and across all wards. As a coalition, we want to echo the support for growth and a city where everyone can enjoy its beauty.
“We’re calling on the Steering Committee to heed the warnings in this report - 89% of renters say housing costs in Manchester are not reasonable,” said housing advocate and Manchester State Representative, Alissandra Murray. “The report shows that strong majorities of Manchester residents feel it is important that the cost of housing in Manchester come down, that there be various types of housing available in the city, and that new housing is built.”
“While we know that homeowners and older adults are over-represented in this survey,” said Isabella Romero, a Manchester Neighbors Welcome coalition member, “we hope the Steering Committee and Board of Mayor and Alderman are paying attention to the public’s need for more homes, of all sizes and types, across our City. The Steering Committee should follow our Roadmap to More Housing for the Queen City and allow more homes - duplexes, townhomes, small and large apartments, in more areas of the city and allow ADUs by right everywhere. These changes are critical to bringing down the cost of housing in Manchester and maintaining sustainable growth across the city.”
The Manchester Neighbors Welcome Coalition represents a broad range of voices who recognize that everyone deserves access to a safe, affordable home near jobs, services, and opportunity. We want to help make Manchester a beautiful city for everyone to enjoy and walk around in. As we await action from the Zoning Ordinance Steering Committee, we believe the subsequent report from UNH will also demonstrate that the vast majority of Manchester residents recognize the need for new housing to bring costs down and make daily life more affordable in the Queen City. Read more about our recommendations on our website at www.manchesterneighbors.org.
BACKGROUND
Manchester is undergoing a comprehensive review of the city’s land use ordinances for the first time in over two decades. In June of 2024, the city published a draft with updates to the land use code and a schedule for public engagement, including public meetings and a city-wide survey.
The city worked with the UNH Survey Center to conduct a survey of Manchester residents to gain an understanding of their feelings about any potential zoning updates.
Over the summer of 2024, the city hosted public, community-wide meetings in each ward of the city to gather feedback and input from residents.
The city formed a Zoning Ordinance Steering Committee which will play an important role in shaping the updated land use code before it goes to the Board of Mayor and Alderman for final approval.
Following the release of this first report, the city is expected to release a second report with findings from the community meetings.
The Manchester Neighbors Welcome Coalition is convened by 603 Forward and New Hampshire Youth Movement. We support common-sense municipal zoning changes that will bring about more attainable housing choices for all Manchester residents.
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