Portsmouth has already made changes to encourage affordable housing

Zoning, ADUs, and parking requirements were adjusted. Yet 96% of new units are still market-rate. Now the Council wants to use city-owned land for “affordable” housing, shifting costs onto residents already working to stay in their homes. True affordability starts with protecting the people who already call Portsmouth home.

Portsmouth changed the zoning, and developers had a choice. Ninety-six percent of the time, they chose profits over people. Even with these changes, developers continue to push for more — and this Council too often hands out Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) or concedes to additional developer requests. The result is clear: market-rate projects dominate, while affordable homes for working families and renters remain out of reach.

Solutions for Real Affordability:

• Protect taxpayers: Stop shifting the cost of affordability onto residents already struggling to stay here.
• Prioritize local needs: Ensure affordable homes are designed for Portsmouth’s workforce, families, and seniors.
• Hold developers accountable: Tie approvals and CUPs directly to meaningful workforce and affordable units, not just market-rate projects.
• Use city-owned land responsibly: Any development on public land must guarantee deep affordability (for residents earning 80% AMI or less) without requiring tax dollar concessions.