News

Apply for grants to hire housing or zoning consultants

PORTSMOUTH — Plan NH is pleased to announce that the next round of applications for the Municipal Technical Assistance Grant (MTAG) program are due May 6.

The MTAG Program provides competitive funding to communities who wish to expand their housing options. Grants range between $5,000 and $20,000 and are for hiring a consultant to assist in identifying housing needs, reviewing current zoning, and re-writing or creating new zoning to support what is needed. A cash match of 25 percent is required, as is community participation in the program(assistance is given for that aspect.)

Since 2016, 12 communities have participated in the program: Boscawen, Hinsdale, Franconia, Peterborough, Candia, Rochester, Dover, Farmington, Jackson, Exeter, Claremont and Hopkinton.

Some communities may be realizing that their older adults who wish to downsize and stay in the town they have called home for years cannot do so, as there are no places to move to. At the same time, young families may not be able to move into town because there are no homes in their price range. Choices to live — by location, by design, by price point — are important, but often the local zoning regulations prohibit many kinds of homes that are needed. This program can be of assistance.

Now in its 30th year, Plan NH raises awareness of the impact of community design and our built environmenton the health and vitality of our cities, towns and neighborhoods. The organization brings information and inspiration to Granite State communities — and the planners, designers and builders who shape them — about ideas and trends and best practices that could contribute to creating delightful places to live, work, and/or play.

For more information about the program, including application instructions, go here.

For more information about Plan NH and the MTAG program, go to www.plannh.org and click on MTAG.

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