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Lincoln named a state Housing Champion; state official says designation improves grant competitiveness
Summary
State officials presented Lincoln with a Housing Champion designation, which the state says gives communities access to incentives such as infrastructure points, expedited permitting and a better position for future grant funding.
Lincoln was recognized as a Housing Champion by state housing officials during a meeting in which the state outlined programs aimed at expanding housing supply.
Heather Shea, director for the Division of Planning and Development at BEA, presented the award and said the designation reflects “a positive approach to ... housing” and can position communities to compete better for other state grants and programs. “Were really pleased to be able to offer you this award, to acknowledge and honor communities like Lincoln,” Shea said.
The state presenter described the original Invest New Hampshire program, launched in 2022 with $100 million in American Rescue Plan funds, as a multi-pronged effort that has supported capital investment, demolition and remediation projects, municipal planning and zoning assistance, and incentive payments to municipalities. According to the presenter, roughly $64 million of that funding was directed to capital for multifamily development, municipalities could receive about $10,000 per unit in incentives, and program activity has supported an estimated 4,700 housing units to date.
The Housing Champion designation was described as a voluntary, "communities of the willing" program. To qualify, presenters said, towns must show ordinance language or other regulatory steps to allow more housing, provide training for local boards, and identify infrastructure plans. Designated communities may receive additional scoring points for programs such as water funding and may be eligible for expedited permitting from the Department of Transportation on qualifying projects, speakers said.
Executive Councilor Leo Hill congratulated Lincoln and offered to advocate with the Executive Council, which reviews related state contracts. “Housing is one of the biggest issues facing our state,” Hill said, urging town leaders to keep the council informed as projects move forward.
Town officials said the recognition could help Lincoln leverage future state funds and technical partnerships with agencies including DES, DOT, PlanNH and others. Organizers planned a brief photo opportunity following the presentation.
The state officials said Invest New Hampshire remains active and that applications for a second phase were under review; funding levels were reduced during the budget process, the presenters acknowledged. The meeting record shows no formal vote associated with the award; it was presented as a recognition and as a means of connecting Lincoln to other state programs and potential funding opportunities.
