Hopkinton Housing Committee

Mission

The mission of the Housing Committee is to identify, analyze, and develop recommendations regarding Hopkinton’s current housing availability and future housing needs in order to maintain a viable, diverse, and balanced community that will meet the economic, social, and physical needs of the Hopkinton community.

Membership

• 1 Planning Board Member;
• 1 Economic Development Committee Member;
• 1 Select Board Member;
• 1 Hopkinton Human Services Advisory Committee Member; and
• 5 members at large, to the extent possible to include a mix of citizens with the following perspectives and/or backgrounds: local realtors/developer/real estate financial professionals; local business leaders; and open space/natural resources/sustainability/waste management/energy.

Members of the Housing Committee shall be appointed by the Select Board. Voting members shall be residents of the town of Hopkinton or serve as a representative of an entity with a financial interest in taxable real property located in Hopkinton. Voting members shall serve three-year staggered terms. Initial appointments shall be made for 1-, 2- and 3-year terms and thereafter are 3-year terms.

In addition to the nine (9) voting members, the committee may engage regional housing advocates as non-voting participants from organizations such as NH Housing Finance Authority, regional real estate market data analysts, developers, and other subject matter experts as the Committee sees fit.

Duties

The duties of the Housing Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. To annually create a plan of work that is presented to and approved by the Select Board;
2. To analyze the availability and cost of housing, including but not limited to the type of dwelling, and current, past, and projected trends in housing development;
3. To track new housing starts including type and number of units;
4. To analyze community demographics reflected in various types of housing being promoted in the community by private developers;
5. To review and interpret Regional Housing Needs Assessments, and conduct housing needs assessments independently or cooperatively with the Regional Planning Commission, including but not limited to data such as price point, type, and supply;
6. To review regional housing patterns in comparison to Hopkinton;
7. To develop recommended long-term strategies regarding housing, housing policy, and land use regulations as they relate to housing;
8. To contribute to the update of the housing chapter of the Master Plan; 
9. To review housing relief programs (including but not limited to: the Housing Choice Voucher Program (a.k.a. Section 8) in New Hampshire, Property Tax Exemptions, etc.);
10. To inform Town boards and committees about housing issues in the community;
11. To report their activities to the Select Board twice a year or upon request of the Select Board;
12. To recommend to the Select Board the pursuit of grants in support of the mission of this Committee; and
13. To publish an annual report on the state of housing in Hopkinton to be included in the Town Report.