The Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice at Saint Anselm College advances research, education, and engagement on housing development, affordability, and stability.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and community partnerships, the Housing Initiative provides practitioners, academic leaders, students, policy makers and advocates with a learning hub dedicated to quality research, effective convenings, and new insights.
Contact
Email:Elissa Margolin
Location: Alumni Hall, first floor
Program Pillars
New Hampshire is facing a severe housing crisis, marked by a shortage of affordable homes and rapidly rising rent and property prices. The programs of the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice provide quality research, communications and engagements to support those working for a strong economic future for New Hampshire residents.
With support from NH Housing and the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs' Office of Planning and Development, the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice leads the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas (NHZA) Project.
The New Hampshire Zoning Atlas is an extensive database and interactive map of district-level land-use regulations and water-sewer availability that impacts New Hampshire's housing supply. The Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice is also a partner to the National Zoning Atlas (NZA) project.
The Initiative brings together a diverse group of experts, practitioners, public officials, community leaders, students, and faculty to examine the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to the affordable housing crisis.
Key events, such as the Housing We Need Forum, along with national research presentations from prominent partners like the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Mercatus Center, ensure that the College’s Housing Initiative remains closely connected to the latest developments in industry, finance, and policy. Through these convenings, the initiative fosters informed dialogue and drives actionable solutions to address one of today’s most pressing challenges.
What do New Hampshire voters think about the affordable housing crisis? Since 2020, Saint Anselm College has administered an annual statewide poll of voter attitudes on affordable housing. The most recent poll shows that pro-housing attitudes remain consistently strong across all demographic categories, and that there is growing support for state effort in solving the affordable housing shortage.
This program brings together local, state, regional, and federal community partners, along with Saint Anselm College students and faculty, to engage with leading experts on the critical intersection of housing and the economy. Featuring prominent thought leaders, the series explores the latest trends, policies, and challenges shaping the housing market and its broader economic impact.