FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2023

Students Feel Effects of New Hampshire’s Housing Crisis

Durham, NH – A recent story from WMUR highlighted the domino effect of the state’s housing crisis on students at the University of New Hampshire, as there are more students who now need to live on campus because they can't afford to live off it. This shortage of affordable off-campus housing is compounded by a recent university policy change mandating first and second-year students to live in on-campus housing, further exacerbating an already tight situation for students and leaving many without housing in 2024. 

“Every person in New Hampshire deserves a roof over their head, including students. Young people are the future of this state; it’s critical that they can afford to live here. College students from across the country are drawn to NH, as I was, and they want to stay here, but they won’t if they are priced out of the state. We all deserve the choice to call NH home, and live in a dignified house we can afford,” said Ben Kremer, Organizing Co-Director of NH Youth Movement. Kremer further underscored these concerns by sharing a firsthand account from a UNH student who faced housing insecurity.

“I became housing insecure around this time last year, and with the time commitment that my major holds, I am not able to have a job that would provide me with enough income to be able to afford rent. I received little to no support from UNH Housing and scrambled to find a place to live on campus that would alleviate my housing insecurity. When I was struggling to find housing on campus, I felt unsafe and worried that I would not be able to continue my education. I am concerned that more students will have to go through the same lack of support that I did. UNH should reconsider the new housing policies to guarantee access to housing for all students.” - A. Cierri, UNH class of 2024

"This is what we mean when we say the housing crisis affects us all. Our future depends on affordable housing being accessible to all and right now. Too many young people's futures are being put on hold because they have nowhere to live without being pushed to the brink. We can and must take action at the local and state level to build more housing – starting with smarter zoning and more incentives to build more types of affordable, accessible housing. We know we can count on the young leaders to turn the tide on these issues.” said Matt Mooshian, 603 Forward Advocacy and Engagement Director 

603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where people are free to live, work and raise a family. In our New Hampshire: democracy is protected above all else; young people have a voice in government at all levels; and policy changes to help build an inclusive, affordable and resilient state.

New Hampshire Youth Movement is marching toward a New Hampshire where everyone has what they need and a community that accepts them for who they are. 

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