Elissa Margolin
Director of Housing Action NH
Elissa Margolin, director of Housing Action NH, is on the frontlines of the affordable housing crisis, advocating for state and federal policies that create affordable housing options. “The housing shortage has created prices that are putting homes out of reach for many; that’s very concerning, and everyone is feeling the impact.”
Margolin, who holds a law degree, specializes in public policy and has worked to advance many critical policy issues in NH with several organizations, including New Futures, NH Voices for Health and Spark NH. In her current role, Margolin is focused on shaping housing policy and finding resources to create more affordable housing. The work is slow. “There’s very little opportunity to buy new homes, and in the rental market, where Housing Action New Hampshire is focused, the lack of supply is hard on everyone,” she says.
Margolin says a positive sign in housing in the last few years is increased political will on both sides of the aisle to help. At a time where people talk about political divides, I think you’ve seen bipartisan, bicameral support for housing issues and a lot of conversation about how to solve the crisis,” she says, adding that NH’s “win column” also includes expanded Medicaid benefit coverage for housing services, the passage of the Accessory Dwelling Unit law, and InvestNH, which made $100 million available to accelerate the approval and construction of affordable workforce housing in NH.
Current Issue - May 2024