UVLSRPC Projects
Project Administrator:
Andrea Cass
Project Title:
Wilmot Housing Opportunity Grant
Related Services:
Project Summary:
Wilmot is in the Kearsarge region between the employment hubs of Lebanon, Concord, and New London. It is a commuter crossroad and rural community in desperate need of housing options that are affordable and appropriate for all people. Like many other towns in New Hampshire, Wilmot struggles to meet the current demand for housing stock even with modest population growth. Between 2010 and 2020, only 55 housing units were built compared to 129 housing units between 2000 and 2010 in Wilmot. As of the 2020 census, only 4% of housing units in Wilmot are determined to be vacant (excluding seasonal home vacancies). While this vacancy rate is relatively high compared to other towns in N.H., the error margin is substantial, and anecdotes shared in this section tell a different story. In fact, 34% of households that own their homes and 26% of renters in Wilmot are considered cost burdened. For residents under 65, 40% of owners' households are cost-burdened, indicating starter homes are needed. Because of this trend, it is difficult for young people to remain in Wilmot. A dwindling working-age population can strain municipal revenue to support public services and infrastructure. Compounding this, the population in Wilmot is aging in place with many people looking to downsize. Therefore, given a lack of appropriate and affordable home types, concerns about accessibility to medical appointments, physical limitations, and social isolation remain pertinent to the community.
Phase I funding will be used to analyze how these shifting demographics will impact housing needs and further the housing conversation. Phase II will involve a regulatory audit and provide actionable steps as to how to steer housing development toward other locations in the community.