Georgina LambertOpposeBelmont, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
"HB 1011 is likely protective for vulnerable populations, promoting housing equity and flexibility. However, it carries potential risks related to overcrowding, infrastructure strain, and uneven municipal oversight. Key Takeaways Repeal supports multi-generational, nontraditional, and marginalized households. Benefits mental health, housing stability, and community cohesion. Must be paired with monitoring and municipal guidance to prevent unintended harms. The bill’s intended benefits outweigh potential risks if implemented alongside evidence-based safety and equity measures.
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Kat McGheeSupportHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Dear Members of the Housing Committee,
I am writing in support of HB 1011, a bipartisan bill intended to repeal a bill that was well intentioned, but that has unintended consequences.
Of late, there has been a tendency to refer to local officials who enforce ordinances that are put in place by the legislative bodies in our cities and towns, as unelected bureaucrats. That's a euphemism that makes for easy dismissal of those who take care to develop and enforce town ordinances that work in real life. The prohibition on municipal occupancy ordinances based upon household make-up or bedroom count was put forth as a way to help ease housing concerns in certain scenarios. I heard the mention of students and veterans who might be helped by removal of the ability to enforce these ordinances. However, there are reasons why these ordinances were adopted in the first place. They are in place for health reasons, for fire risks and overcrowding of smaller units, and I'm sure there are other scenarios whereby a city or town might want to have ordinances on the books to prevent more people occupying a residence than the landlords intend. If there is no way to enforce these ordinances, then the legal precedent is on the side of those who would take serious advantage of some housing situations, and there would be no legal remedy.
We want a solution to the housing crisis. We do not want to eliminate useful laws that could help some, while opening the door to hurt many others who would lose their right to use their property in accordance with its physical limits.
Please consider OTP on HB1011. Bedroom count should limit occupancy and removing this common sense ordinance does not fix our housing crisis - it opens us up to unhealthy overcrowding of existing dwellings.
Thanks for your consideration. (I serve on Hollis' Zoning Board of Adjustments and I've been involved in local ordinances for over 10 years). Rep. Kat McGhee
Daniel RichardsonSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Household composition and bedroom count are important occupancy parameters to preempt creeping a flop-house character which is created by illegal aliens packed in to preserve their specific culture which is frequently inconsistent with the neighborhood. This deterioration in neighborhood environment is a propagating cancerous contagion. These parameters are also important in municipal planning for fire service stations, equipment and manning, regardless of state building code or state fire code.
Sarah ScottOpposeSomersworth, NHfor Americans for Prosperity New HampshireJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.
Katie McLaughlinSupportWeare, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.
Julie SmithSupportEpsom, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.
Kate CoonOpposePeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.
Dawn McKinneyOpposeCONCORD, NHfor NH Legal AssistanceJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.
Eric PauerOpposeBrookline, NHfor MyselfJan 13, 2026
Position recorded without written comment.