New Hampshire’s $100 million housing investment, InvestNH, is starting to pay off.

“InvestNH was absolutely critical in allowing more housing to be built,” said developer Jack Franks.

Franks, president and CEO of Avanru Development Group, said InvestNH’s help was key to some of his new affordable housing projects in Newport, Swanzey, and Hillsborough.

“Hillsborough would not have happened,” Franks pointed out.

Polls consistently show housing costs are a top priority for Granite Staters, and many of the state’s employers say housing is one their biggest challenges in attracting quality workers. Using federal ARPA relief funds to get more apartments and homes built, InvestNH is making a difference, though there’s still a long way to go.

“This crisis is not going to be solved overnight, but we are working with local leaders to get them the resources they need to match housing needs in their community,” said Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell.

Administered by the BEA, InvestNH has already impacted more than 4,657 new housing units throughout the state, according to Caswell, with more to come.

BEA worked through InvestNH to create a capital grant program to fund the development of affordable housing; a demolition program to assist municipalities in preparing for or addressing housing challenges and project developments in older dilapidated properties; a per-unit incentive grant program that awarded municipalities $10,000 per unit of approved affordable housing, and the Housing Opportunities program, which assisted 67 communities to review and develop planning and zoning strategies to facilitate appropriate housing in their towns.

“The goal with these one-time funds has been to help accelerate affordable housing units getting to market and setting the stage for more private investment in affordable housing statewide by providing incentives and resources to local communities,” Caswell said.

BEA used InvestNH to fund: $64 million for the Capital Grant program that impacted 1,605 new units; $16.2 million for the Per Unit Grants program that impacted 1,910 units; $11.5 for the Demolition Grants program that impacted 2,302 units; and $7.9 million for the Housing Opportunity Planning Grants program that went to 67 communities throughout the state.

BEA’s new state Housing Champions program will soon be able to continue the InvestNH programs, thanks to state general funds totaling $15 million.

Even with InvestNH, New Hampshire has a vacancy rate of around 1 percent or less, according to Franks, leaving Granite Staters to pay more for rent or looking out of state for a decent home they can afford.

“It’s beyond critical mass at this point. It’s at absurdity, the amount of housing that’s needed in the state,” Franks said.

Of his three new developments, two were fully rented soon after opening. Both the Swanzey and Newport apartment projects now have waiting lists, and the Hillsborough development is taking applications now.

The biggest obstacle to building more affordable housing that Franks encounters are the sometimes redundant and contradictory local regulations that slow construction, or stymie projects altogether. Franks hopes incoming Gov. Kelly Ayotte will work to streamline those regulations and cut the red tape that make the housing crisis worse. 

Ayotte told NHJournal she’s ready to help.

“Tackling New Hampshire’s housing crisis is a key priority for my administration — we need more housing for our workforce, our seniors, our families, and every community across our state,” Ayotte said. “As Governor, I’ll work to streamline the state permitting process, cut unnecessary red tape that creates barriers to construction, and bring stakeholders together to discuss how we can incentivize construction of more affordable housing while respecting local control. Working together, we’ll keep New Hampshire moving in the right direction.”

MANCHESTER, N.H. – New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt is set to become the youngest White House press secretary in history after President-elect Donald Trump announced last week that he would name her to the position. It’s a job that her former college mentor says the 27-year-old is “uniquely qualified for.”

Neil Levesque is the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, which is Leavitt’s alma mater. He told WBZ-TV that he worked with her on an almost daily basis while she was a student and they still keep in touch.

“She’s probably one of the best students I’ve ever seen in front of a television camera,” Levesque said. “She answers questions with not only just razor-sharp answers, but also she has an optimism, a sort of cheerfulness to her that I think sometimes catches people off guard.”

Who is Karoline Leavitt?

Leavitt was the first Republican “Gen Z” congressional nominee in 2022, but lost in the general election. She worked in the White House Press Office during Trump’s first term and then served as his 2024 campaign press secretary.

Trump said in a statement that “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator.”

“Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored,” Leavitt wrote in a social media post.

Trump’s White House press secretary

The Trump White House did not always have regular press briefings during his first term, with the former president preferring to serve as his own chief spokesperson. Trump was asked at a campaign briefing this summer if the press secretary would have a bigger role this time around.

“Probably they’ll do something. If it’s not daily, it’s going to be a lot,” Trump said. “You’ll have more than you want.”  

Levesque highlighted the challenges Leavitt will face when speaking for the White House.

“Obviously the job of being White House press secretary is someone who’s being watched around the world,” he said. “Statements that you have to make on behalf of the president of the United States have to be perfect.”

Like Trump, Leavitt has repeatedly blasted the mainstream media as “fake news.” But Levesque said he expects her to get along well with reporters covering the White House.

“The press corps is probably going to find her an enjoyable person to work with every day,” Levesque said. “She is fearless.” 

The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

27-31-41-52-69, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

04-09-10-28-29, Lucky Ball: 01

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

Day: 2-4-5

Evening: 4-0-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

Day: 1-2-2-5

Evening: 6-9-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

03-12-16-24-25, Megaball: 04

Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

20-23-33-37-39

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
• Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
• Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
• Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.