Sen. David Waters seeks task force to explore housing at Great Bay Community College with military and student housing in mind

Sen. David Waters introduced SB490 to establish a task force charged with assessing options to develop housing on or adjacent to Great Bay Community College and to authorize the college to use vacant property for that purpose. He said the bill aims to explore cooperative models that could provide housing for National Guard and military personnel while also serving students and staff.

"To provide housing for our military... and also to see what opportunities there would be for joint facility that could be dorm-like or apartment-like that could also serve Great Bay students and staff," Sen. Waters said. He described outreach to the Peace Development Authority and the National Guard, and noted site constraints on former federal land, including PFAS contamination on some tracts and lease conditions that will require legal review.

Cheryl Leser, president of Great Bay Community College, supported the task force and said colocated affordable housing could reduce transportation barriers and help students balance education and work. "Affordable housing collocated with the campus can reduce transportation barriers and make it more feasible for students to balance education, employment, and family responsibilities," she said, and she noted the campus sits on leased land with defined approved uses that would need amendment for housing.

Nicole Desile Bixler, deputy adjutant general for the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, told the committee that Pease National Guard members face high local housing costs that hinder recruitment and retention. "SB490 is a great opportunity to start exploring other avenues... we would like to stand up this task force to explore all of those options," she said.

The committee closed public testimony on SB490 and scheduled executive session in two weeks for further consideration.