KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Addressing the region’s housing shortage took center stage Saturday as Raleigh Ormerod welcomed local housing leaders and a state lawmaker to What’s Happening on WKBK Radio.

Ormerod’s guests included Josh Meehan, executive director of Keene Housing; Matt Keenan, board president of Monadnock Habitat for Humanity; and N.H. State Rep. David Paige, ranking member of the New Hampshire House Housing Committee.

Keene Housing: Building Supply, Clearing Misconceptions

Meehan explained that Keene Housing, founded in 1965, was created by city leadership but receives no funding from the city or state. Instead, he said, the organization operates independently and is a significant local real estate taxpayer.

The need is substantial. Keene Housing currently has about 2,500 people on its waiting list, representing roughly 800 families. About half of those served are elderly or disabled residents, while the remainder are working families, many with at least one employed adult.

Meehan said the core issue is a lack of housing supply across income levels. Without enough “attainable” housing for working households, he noted, pressure builds throughout the market — including on subsidized units.

A major piece of the solution is new construction.

Meehan also discussed efforts to stabilize costs for tenants, noting that most Keene Housing properties include utilities, with the agency absorbing fluctuations. He added that renewable energy investments are part of a long-term goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035.

The conversation also touched on landlord participation in voucher programs. Meehan said housing vouchers provide reliable rent payments and currently include financial incentives to encourage more property owners to participate.

Habitat For Humanity: Affordable Ownership Through Volunteers

Matt Keenan described how Monadnock Habitat for Humanity works with families earning between 60 and 80 percent of area median income, offering zero-interest mortgages on homes built largely by volunteers and supported through donations.

Upcoming projects include a single-family home on Old Walpole Road and a planned duplex on Grove Street in Keene. The organization is also finalizing paperwork to accept a donated lot in Winchester for future development.

Keenan emphasized the importance of financial literacy in Habitat’s model. Partner families complete budgeting and financial education programs before purchasing their homes, helping ensure long-term success. He shared examples of families who have paid off their mortgages and remained stable homeowners.

Beyond construction, he said the nonprofit needs volunteers for building, fundraising and administrative roles. He also promoted an upcoming fundraiser, “Studs to Suds,” scheduled at Frog Brewing.

Legislative Efforts at the State Level

State Rep. David Page discussed the work of the House Housing Committee, which is reviewing roughly 80 housing-related bills this session. Lawmakers are weighing proposals addressing zoning reform, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), infrastructure funding and development incentives.

Page highlighted the Housing Champions program, which provides infrastructure support to municipalities that encourage housing development. He voiced concern over efforts to repeal the program, noting that nearly half of recent housing starts have occurred in designated communities.

Other proposals under discussion include credit enhancement agreements to support priority housing projects and broader use of community revitalization tax incentives. A separate bill that would have assessed certain high-value second homes to generate funding for housing programs was tabled earlier in the session.

Page also addressed eviction policy, homelessness trends and the need for bipartisan cooperation to increase supply while maintaining stability for tenants.

Smart Growth and Transportation

The discussion expanded to local zoning efforts in Keene, including rural rezoning changes and the push for downtown density aligned with Smart Growth principles. Ormerod and his guests spoke about the importance of walkability, taller downtown buildings, and better intercity transportation links to support workforce mobility and economic development.

Throughout the program, a recurring theme emerged: increasing housing supply at multiple income levels is critical to easing pressure on the entire market and strengthening the region’s economy.

Ormerod closed the segment by encouraging continued community involvement — through volunteering, public policy engagement and local partnerships — to help address one of the Monadnock Region’s most pressing challenges.

Listen to the full interview: