7/28/25
Community Housing Forum Feedback Summary Overview
On Thursday, May 15th, 2025, the Town of Brentwood's Planning Board hosted a Community Housing Forum from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Brentwood Recreation Center. This public engagement event was focused on work completed during the town's second Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) Grant. The event was set up as an interactive open house rather than a formal presentation or meeting. Informational posters were arranged around the room, including educational materials on Brentwood's housing needs and outcomes from the 2023 HOP grant (such as the Master Plan Housing Chapter update and survey results), as well as background on workforce housing requirements in the State of New Hampshire.
Additional posters introduced potential housing tools and development types identified through the first HOP grant effort-such as cluster subdivisions, accessory dwelling units (ADU's), multifamily housing, and workforce housing-to help spark conversation and gather feedback. Attendees were given a packet of questions tied to each housing type/tool, as well as a demographic questionnaire. A companion online version of the forum was also made available, featuring the same questions and posters as the in-person event, and this option was open for a month and a half following the forum.
To view the complete feedback summary please use the following link: BrentwoodHOP_Outreach_Feedback-Summary_wAppendix (2).pdf
The Town of Brentwood received a second Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) Grant from
New Hampshire Housing in 2024 (click here for info about first grant). Building on the momentum of the first phase, this new grant
supports ongoing efforts to understand Brentwood’s current and future housing needs. This
effort will also explore how zoning and land use policies can be updated to support well-
planned, locally appropriate housing solutions. This initiative is grounded in community
input and aims to ensure that Brentwood’s housing policies reflect the town’s values,
environmental priorities, and character—while also working toward compliance with New
Hampshire’s housing laws and requirements, including the Workforce Housing Law (RSA
674: 58, 59, 60, 61).
What We’ve Done So Far
With support from its first HOP Grant (2023–24), the Town:
- Conducted a community survey and hosted public meetings
- Updated the Housing Chapter of the Master Plan
- Completed a Land Use Regulation Audit
Key findings from this work revealed
- Limited affordable homeownership and rental options
- A lack of housing choices for younger workers and aging residents
- Strong community interest in preserving Brentwood’s rural character, managing tax impacts, and protecting the environment
What’s Next in 2025
Based on public feedback from the first HOP initiative, the Town is now exploring zoning and
policy updates that support housing needs in ways that align with community values and state
requirements. Options to consider include:
- Revising the multi-family district to allow for housing unit expansion in certain areas
- Creating workforce housing regulations to meet state compliance while maintaining
local control
- Exploring mixed-use development potential in commercial areas
- Updating the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to increase flexibility for
homeowners
- Considering non-regulatory tools to expand housing options without requiring zoning
changes
Next Opportunity to Get Involved!
Please Join us for the Town of Brentwood’s Housing Forum
Learn about existing and potential housing options, ask questions, and share your perspective on the future of housing in Brentwood! This event is an open house format on Thursday, May 15th from 5:00PM –7:00 PM at the Brentwood Recreation Center. Please drop in and share your thoughts!
If you have any questions about this forum, call Land Use Administrator Mark Kennedy 603-642-6400 x 116
What Should the Future of Housing be in Brentwood?
As part of the Housing Opportunity Planning grant, the Brentwood Planning Board is seeking input via this survey on how housing options can be integrated into Brentwood in a way that reflects the existing fabric of the community. The survey is one step in engaging the town in a conversation about housing priorities and what strategies should be taken to accommodate those needs and the changing needs for local housing.
The Regional Housing Needs Assessment can be found on the RPC's website and the most up to date NH Statewide Housing Needs Assessment can be found here.
FREQUENTLY USED HOUSING TERMS & DEFINITIONS
PDF list of Frequently Used Housing terms: here
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – a residential living unit that can be within or attached to a single-family dwelling, or a detached unit that provides independent living facilities for one or more persons, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel of land as the principal dwelling unit it accompanies. See New Hampshire Accessory Dwelling Units statute (RSA 674:71-73)
Affordable Housing – housing, rental or owner-occupied, that costs no more than 30% of one's gross income. Rental cost is defined as rent + utilities. Ownership cost is monthly principal, interest, taxes and insurance.
Area Median Income (AMI) – the median income of all households in a given county or metropolitan region. If you were to line up each household in the area from the poorest to the wealthiest, the household in the middle would have the median household income. Housing programs and the state’s workforce
housing law use AMI to determine housing eligibility.
Housing Choice Vouchers (also known as Section 8) – a federal government program that assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. It is a form of subsidized affordable housing in which families who qualify may be provided with
government funding to pay a portion of their rent in standard, market-rate housing. Program eligibility and assistance is based upon income and household size.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – a federal program that subsidizes the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants. Developers receive a tax credit allocation from an agency such as NHHFA, and then sells the tax credits to a private equity company in exchange for funding to build the property. LIHTC properties must have some or all of its units leased to tenants at rents that are lower than market rent.
Market Rate Housing – housing that is available on the private market, not subsidized or limited to any specific income level.
Mixed-Income Housing Development – development that includes housing for various income levels, including housing that is targeted towards low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
Mixed-Use – any building that contains at least two different types of uses in it, such as ground floor commercial space for stores, restaurants or other businesses, and apartments on the upper floors.
Multi-Family Housing – a building or structure designed to house different families in separate housing units; usually rental property.
Single-Family Housing – any detached dwelling unit meant for only one family to reside in. A single-family home has no shared property but is built on its own parcel of land.
Subsidized Housing – housing where all or a portion of the occupants’ monthly housing cost is paid for directly by the government, such as by Housing Choice Vouchers. The renters pay the portion of the rent that is determined to be affordable to them based on their income.
Workforce Housing – a variety of housing types that are affordable (no more than 30% of gross income spent on housing cost) suitable for households of working people with different needs and income levels. Due to their income, this population is generally not eligible for any federal assistance programs. NH Workforce Housing Law (RSA 674:58-:61) defines workforce housing as housing that is affordable to a renter earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income for a family of three paying no more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, or a homeowner earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income for a family of four paying no more than 30% of their income on principal, interest, taxes and insurance.
The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) was present at the December 7th Planning Board meeting to discuss Housing Opportunity Planning.
Please contact the Planning Office for more information.