Download the program for our Breakfast here

Our Call to Action

Basic needs, like housing, transportation and access to health care are imperative to the health and wellbeing of our communities. In Strafford County, these basic needs go unmet for some of our most vulnerable populations, oftentimes due to the cost burden.

Without transportation, individuals struggle to work, creating further barriers to accessing essential resources like healthcare.

The dismal housing landscape in our state is not only creating a cost burden on citizens, it is creating workforce challenges across sectors – affecting our ability to provide timely services like mental health care to our populations.

Unmet basic needs and unstable living conditions can exacerbate behavioral health issues like mental health and substance use disorders. Limited access to mental health care, substance use treatment, and wraparound services perpetuates a cycle of crisis, trapping some Granite Staters in a web of challenges that have increasingly high barriers.

We can break down these barriers to wellness by advocating for comprehensive solutions, prioritizing funding streams and supporting evidence-based interventions that meet the diverse and complex needs of our communities. By joining us today, and by continuing to support these improvements across our communities, you are helping to ensure that the needs of individuals and families in Strafford County and across the Granite State are reflected throughout the decision making process.

Areas of Focus

The information in this section provides background information on the three priority topics highlighted at our Legislative Breakfast; Housing, Access to Mental and Behavioral Healthcare, including that for Substance Use Disorder, and Transportation.

As you review the information here, and reflect on the stories shared by our panel and speakers, please keep these facts in mind.

Download the Handout for our Areas of Focus here

Housing

A balanced and healthy rental market should have a vacancy rate of 5% to 6%
In 2023, the average vacancy rate in Strafford County for a 2 bedroom unit was 0.06% and the median gross rent was $1,764
Nowhere in NH has a vacancy rate above 1% at this time
New Hampshire has not seen a vacancy rate at or above 5% since 2009
As of June 2023, costs for a single-family home in NH reached a median sales price of $499,000, an increase of 50.9% from June 2020
For housing to qualify as "affordable," expenses like rent and utilities for renters, and mortgage, property taxes, and insurance for homeowners shouldn't surpass 30% of a household's gross annual income - Anything beyond that is considered cost burdened
31% of homeowners and 44% of renters are considered cost burdened in Strafford County
27% of households are low-income in Strafford County
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in New England has increased by 7.4% from Sept 2021 to Sept 2022 with the highest increases in gas, shelter, and food (target inflation rate is 2% per year)

Mental Health, Behavioral Health & Substance Use:

221,000 adults in New Hampshire have a mental health condition
In New Hampshire, 57,000 adults have a serious mental illness
In February 2021, 37.7% of adults in New Hampshire reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. 17% were unable to get needed counseling or therapy
Of the 70,000 adults in New Hampshire who did not receive needed mental health care, 41.7% did not because of cost
92,510 people in New Hampshire live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals
15,000 Granite Staters age 12–17 have depression
56.6% of Granite Staters age 12–17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year

Transportation

As of 2024, there are 8 local public transit systems in New Hampshire, serving just over
30 cities and towns. The estimated annual economic impact of their operations across
the state is >$95M
The Strafford region has two public bus transportation systems, the Cooperative
Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) system and UNH Wildcat Transit
In Strafford County, the COAST system serves Farmington, Rochester, Somersworth,
Dover, and Newmarket. The Wildcat system serves Durham, Dover, and Madbury. Both
also serve neighboring communities in Rockingham County
According to 2021 overall funding levels for public transportation, including state and
federal funding, New Hampshire ranked 42nd in the nation (Source: AASHTO)
Data collected in New Hampshire between 2016 and 2020 show people with lower
incomes made greater use of public transit
Just over $2.28M was included in the SFY24/25 State Budget for public transit
operations. Equating to an annual per capita investment of roughly $1.60

Current Legislation

The pieces of legislation in this list section relate to the three priority topics from our Legislative Breakfast. As you consider these bills, and others like them, we ask that you keep in mind the information referenced on this page, and the stories our panelists and speakers shared.

Download the Handout of 2024 Legislative Bills Here

Housing

SB538-L: Relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing.
HB1101: Establishing a committee to study a potential state program to make loans to low-to-moderate income households for the purpose of buying a home or for the purpose of consolidating student loans.
HB1168: Establishing a committee to study the impact of the housing crisis on people with disabilities.
HB1199: Relative to services of the office of the child advocate for youth experiencing homelessness and making an appropriation therefor.
HB1291: Relative to accessory dwelling unit uses allowed by right.
HB1362: Relative to authorizing municipalities to stabilize rent increases in rental housing.
HB1399: Allowing municipalities to permit 2 residential units in certain single-family residential zones.
HB1470: Establishing a study committee on the feasibility and impact of a low-income housing tax credit.
HB1545: Relative to the disposal of state surplus property for affordable housing.
HB1672: Relative to tenants in section 8 public housing.
SB224: Relative to housing opportunity zones and inclusionary zoning.
SB384: Relative to a municipal loan and grant program for rental housing and making an appropriation therefor.
SB406: Relative to emergency housing assistance and making an appropriation therefor.
SB408: Establishing a committee to study the effects of the housing crisis on the disability community.
SB410: (New Title) making appropriations to the department of health and human services to support community and transitional housing through community mental health centers.
SB434: Establishing the extended stay housing program and exempting participating businesses from the tax on meals and rooms.
SB454: Increasing the annual real estate transfer tax revenue contribution to the affordable housing fund.
SB518: Relative to incentivizing landlords to accept housing choice vouchers.

Mental Health, Behavioral Health & Substance Use:

SB411: Relative to emergency mental health services for persons 21 years of age and younger.
HB1028: Relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of the New Hampshire mental health services system.
HB1109: (New Title) relative to requiring student identification cards to include the helpline for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
HB1609: Relative to the commission on the primary care workforce and the state office of rural health.
HB1079: Relative to critical incident stress management team members.
HB353: Establishing an interstate compact for universal healthcare.
HR23: Calling upon the New Hampshire congressional delegation to support a national, universal health insurance program.
SB128: Relative to payment for legal services for persons involuntarily admitted for mental health services.
SB235: Relative to services provided through a primary care behavioral health model.
SB457: Relative to inpatient psychiatric services authorization and utilization review.
HB1502-FN: Relative to alcohol-related offenses and prohibitions (also related to transportation).
HB1633-FN-A: Relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
HB1693-FN: Relative to the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
HB505-FN: Relative to comprehensive mental health education in schools.
HB544-FN: Legalizing cannabis for retail sale.

Transportation

HB1520-FN-A: Establishing a family assistance car ownership pilot program in the department of health and human services.
HB1568-FN: Relative to Medicaid reimbursement for non-transport emergency medical services calls.
HB2024: Relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan.
HR29: Declaring an economic justice bill of rights.
SB409-FN: Relative to reimbursement for ambulance services under the state Medicaid plan.
HB1467-FN: Relative to child passenger protection.
HB651: Authorizing the department of education and local school districts to contract with transportation network companies to provide school transportation services.
HB1118: Relative to the issuance of drivers' licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.
HB1127: Relative to the revocation and suspension of drivers' licenses.
HB1467-FN: Relative to requests for easements for the purpose of laying sidewalk along class I-IV highways.

Supporting Documents & Resources:

- Alliance for Community Transportation 2023 Impact Statement SFY23 Final
- COAST 2023 Passenger Survey 2
- NH Voters on Housing Issues 2023
- NH Housing-2023-Residential-Rental-Survey-Report
- Housing in New Hampshire: Shortage Raises Costs - New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (Fact Sheet)
- The Economy, Workforce, and Health Care Employment in New Hampshire - New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (Presentation)
- Vehicles Available by Household and Income Required for Rent and Utilities, Strafford County – U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
- County Health Rankings – Mental Health Providers
- 2023 Residential Rental Cost Survey Report – New Hampshire Housing
- New Hampshire Association of Realtors (Median Sale Price data)

Meet Our Speakers

Allison Burridge | Assistant Director of Housing Initiatives, Granite United Way

For a decade, Allie worked in Portsmouth and lived in the Seacoast area. In 2020, she joined Alliance Asset Management in Dover as an Occupancy Specialist, handling housing applications and assisting with property management. Despite challenging market conditions in 2022, she earned her real estate license, specializing in first-time homebuyers. By October 2023, she joined Granite United Way as Asst. Director of Housing Initiatives, where she oversees the Affordable Housing Incentive Program, aiming to break barriers for Housing Choice Voucher tenants and promote equitable housing opportunities throughout New Hampshire.

Justin Holsapple | Account Manager, Working Fields & Program Director, The Freeman House Sober Living

Justin Holsapple is the Account Manager for Working Fields. Which is a mission driven Staffing Agency with a new office located in Dover NH. He joined them 6 months ago after 3 years as a case manager for Turning Point. Additionally, Justin is The Program Director of the Freemen House Sober living for men and women, with 6 homes in Strafford county. He has been with the Freemen organization for 5 years, first as a resident then as a house leader before becoming the Program Director 2.5 years ago. Justin is a person in long term recovery and has his CRSW.

Katherine Michaud | Behavioral Health & Matter of Balance Coordinator, Cornerstone VNA

Katie joined Cornerstone VNA in 2013 and is the Behavioral Health and Matter of Balance Coordinator. She graduated with her Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of NE in 2009. Katie leads the Behavioral Health Team at Cornerstone VNA and is an advocate for mental health education, resources, and support. At the community level, Katie shares her knowledge and expertise by providing mental health presentations through Cornerstone VNA’s Educational Series. At Cornerstone VNA, she leads Mental Health First Aid Trainings for the staff to ensure that patients and their families have the support they need. She also provides special presentations during staff meetings to promote mental health awareness.

Rad Nichols | Executive Director, COAST

Mr. Nichols has been the Executive Director of COAST since 2007, being named following the passing of the previous Executive Director, Steven Wells. Mr. Nichols began his public transit career at COAST in 1993 as the Assistant Executive Director. He left the organization in 1996 but returned in 1999 as the Program Manager. In 2001, as COAST assumed the day-to-day management and operation of its system, he was promoted to become the Manager of Operations & Planning. From 1996 through 1998, he was the Operations Analyst at the MBTA Advisory Board, the only public oversight body for the Boston-based MBTA. In 1998, he was the Senior Mass Transit Planner at the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission in Haverhill, MA.

Phil Sletting | Research Director, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute

Phil is the Research Director at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, where he has worked for more than seven years. He conducts research and analysis related to the State Budget, State revenues and expenditures, the economy, and the economic security of Granite Staters, with a focus on residents with low and moderate incomes. Born and raised in New Hampshire, Phil earned a Bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin. Before joining the team at NHFPI, he served for three years as a performance auditor for the New Hampshire Office of Legislative Budget Assistant