Published: 6/3/2021 11:14:01 AM
New Hampshire housing advocates say they largely support Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent proposal to divert federal dollars meant for rent relief and other housing aid toward creating new affordable units.
That plan, which requires U.S. Treasury Department approval, would help ease a serious housing crunch in the Granite State, reduce the cost of rent and boost economic growth, they say.
In a May 4 letter, Sununu asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to let New Hampshire use funds from the state’s $200 million Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to help build affordable housing. That program, which opened in March, offers cash aid for past-due and future rent, utilities and other housing-related costs – including internet and relocation expenses – caused directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But solving adequate affordable housing remains a priority for housing advocates
March 15, 2021
Martha Stone, executive director of Cross Roads House in Portsmouth, which provides emergency and transitional housing services. ‘Even people who are employed cannot typically afford a market-rate apartment,’ she says. (Photo by Scott Merrill)
One year after the Covid-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency by Gov. Chris Sununu, the rental market in New Hampshire will receives another dose of government assistance on March 15. But even with new relief on the way, the creation of affordable housing remains a pressing issue.
The latest round of assistance $20 million – comes from a stimulus bill passed in January that dedicated $25 billion to the states.
Modified: 12/17/2020 2:32:07 PM
Unemployment compensation taxes in New Hampshire will probably decrease next year, and remain at that level, for all of 2021, thanks to an influx of unspent CARES Act funds, Deputy Employment Security Commissioner Richard Lavers told business leaders during a remote conference on Tuesday.
Those funds will be crucial in keeping the unemployment trust fund at a high enough level to prevent triggering tax increases. In November, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Relief and Recovery had already transferred $50 million in CARES Act money to the trust fund to not only prevent the base tax rate from going up, but also to bring it down a half-percent, to 2.7%.
NH Business Review
State takes action to shore up trust fund and avoid ‘sticker shock’ for employers
December 15, 2020
Deputy Department of Employment Security Commissioner Richard Lavers
Unemployment compensation taxes in New Hampshire will probably decrease next year, and remain at that level, for all of 2021, thanks to an influx of unspent CARES Act funds, Deputy Employment Security Commissioner Richard Lavers told business leaders during a remote conference on Tuesday.
Those funds will be crucial in keeping the unemployment trust fund at a high enough level to prevent triggering tax increases. In November, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Relief and Recovery had already transferred $50 million in CARES Act money to the trust fund to not only prevent the base tax rate from going up, but also to bring it down a half-percent, to 2.7%.