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Bill would push agencies to identify surplus state land for affordable housing
Summary
Rep. Chris Muns proposed HB 17‑26 to require state agencies to identify underused property in budget planning and make select parcels available to affordable‑housing developers at favorable starting bids; supporters said land costs drive housing prices while members asked about sale mechanics, proceeds and municipal coordination.
Representative Chris Muns (Rockingham County District 29) told the committee HB 17‑26 directs state agencies to identify unused or underutilized state land that might be suitable for affordable housing as part of their biennial budget process and authorizes the state to offer such parcels to qualified developers through a competitive process with below‑market starting bids.
"Since acquisition of land is one of the larger expenses a developer must incur, this bill hopes to reduce the cost of some projects by identifying unused state property that might be suitable for affordable housing development," Muns said.
Questions from the committee focused on whether the state would be required to accept the lowest bid, where proceeds would be credited (general fund versus agency), and how the policy would avoid perverse local reactions such as zoning changes to block development. Muns said the bill is intended to lower the initial asking price to attract developers and that proceeds language should be clarified in drafting; he also acknowledged the measure would not magically create large tracts of desirable land but could yield modest sites that produce housing on a project‑by‑project basis.
Housing advocates, including Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, supported the objectives and urged clearer inventory data on developable state land and coordination with New Hampshire Housing and the governor’s office to make the program effective. Lawmakers and witnesses discussed implementation detail options and the need for clear standards to weigh bids and to align the program with existing tools such as New Hampshire Housing and municipal permitting reforms.
The committee closed the public hearing without taking final action that day.
