A national housing shortage is causing the cost of real estate in New Hampshire to skyrocket, leading many residents to consider moving to other states.
A survey by the University of New Hampshire found that a quarter of the state’s residents say that they are likely to leave New Hampshire in the next five years, citing reasons such as lack of affordable housing and high cost of living. Among those aged 34 and younger, 55% are considering moving out of the state.
“New Hampshire is facing a serious shortage in affordable housing that threatens to drive and keep out young people and families from New Hampshire,” U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) wrote in an Aug. 2 Tweet. “I’m committed to fighting for legislation and policies that will help address this crisis by lowering costs and expanding housing stock.”
The Granite State Poll showed that 10% of the state’s population said that affordable housing was their biggest concern.
Renters are facing shortages as well. A New Hampshire Residential Rental Cost Survey Report reports that the average rate of vacancy across the state is 1%, well below its balanced-market vacancy rate of 5% and the national average of 7%.
The New Hampshire Union Leader reports that most people thinking of leaving the state were considering moving to the South or Puerto Rico, and that 20% of respondents said they would consider moving to Maine.
