Policy issues

There are many public policy issues that affect individuals, families and communities with low- and moderate-incomes. The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund gets involved mostly with those issues that are credit-related and/or that affect our ability to serve these populations, particularly when we can bring expertise to the debate or when the outcome might lead to positive systems change.

2011

New Hampshire

House Bill 109 – Prohibiting local planning boards from requiring the installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system in proposed one- or two-family residences as a condition of approval for a local permit

This bill would prevent planning boards from requiring the installation of sprinkler systems in new one- and two-family homes. Such systems are not common in manufactured homes, and their requirement would make this type of affordable housing less affordable and less available to people and families with low incomes. Some manufactured housing communities would have to invest in larger water systems and storage tanks as new homes were sited there.In addition, Dept. of Housing and Urban Development standards have greatly increased the fire safety of manufactured housing.

The Community Loan Fund supports this legislation, and urged the House and Senate to override Gov. John Lynch's veto. The veto override was successful, and the bill became law effective July 1, 2011

Letter to House and Senate urging override of Governor's veto, June 21, 2011

House Bill 232 – Clarifying tax obligation for abandoned manufactured housing

Neighbors of an abandoned home are not responsible for the unpaid taxes on that home. This bill prevents towns from denying demolition permits for abandoned manufactured housing on the basis of unpaid taxes. It will encourage quicker replacement of homes in manufactured housing communities, creating more taxable properties for towns, the resumption of lot rents to park owners, and more-stable neighborhoods.

The Community Loan Fund supports this legislation. HB 232 has been retained for further work by the House Municipal and County Government Committee.

Testimony before the House Municipal and County Affairs Committee, Feb. 3, 2011

House Bill 368 – Permitting municipalities to decide whether to approve workforce housing

In recognition that young families and working families need housing they can afford, New Hampshire law requires every community to provide “reasonable and realistic opportunities” for the development of workforce housing. This bill would eliminate that requirement and allow cities and towns to decide whether to issue permits for housing for people with low and moderate incomes. This would allow some communities to revert to their earlier – and currently illegal – discriminatory practices against such housing.

The Community Loan Fund opposed this legislation. HB 368 was defeated in the Senate.

Testimony before the House Municipal and County Government Committee, Feb. 24, 2011

House Bill 519 – Repealing New Hampshire's regional greenhouse gas initiative cap and trade program for controlling carbon dioxide emissions

In the current law, the Legislature wisely set aside 10 percent of New Hampshire's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds for energy conservation in low-income households. Repeal of the law will deny the state a flexible tool for addressing the energy-efficiency needs of its poorest citizens.

The Community Loan Fund opposes this legislation. The House and Senate passed different versions of the bill and were unable to reconcile their differences in a Committee of Conference, so the bill is dead.

Testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, April 21, 2011

Senate Bill 57 – Changing from 36 percent per year to 25 percent per month the interest that may be changed for (car) title loans

The Community Loan Fund uses loans and education in ways that benefit people and communities with low and moderate incomes. By contrast, the business model of the title loan industry sets people up to fail. This failure is systemic and an essential element of the industry’s profitability. The problem isn't in the high interest rates alone, it's the connection of those high rates with a very short time for repayment.

The Community Loan Fund opposes this legislation. The governor vetoed SB 57 after it was passed by the House and Senate. The Senate has voted to override the veto. The House takes up the veto next.

Testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee, Feb. 1, 2011

Senate Bill 160 – Relative to the definition and regulation of installment loans

In the view of the Community Loan Fund, credit wisely used is an important, and even necessary, tool for stabilizing and advancing the economic lives of people with low incomes. The form of payday lending proposed in this bill is diametrically opposed to our strategy of using credit as a wealth-building and empowerment tool for New Hampshire's low-income wage earners.

The Community Loan Fund opposes this legislation. SB 160 has been re-referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee for further work.

Testimony before the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, April 19, 2011

Senate Bill 177 – Requiring the directors and chief officers of every publicly supported voluntary corporation to receive annual management training

Every organization has strong incentives to make sure its managers and directors are well-trained and focused on the work that needs to be done. Many, like ours, are scrutinized regularly by public and private funders. Instead of mandating training, the Legislature should insist that state grants be awarded only to organizations that can achieve the grants' goals.

The Community Loan Fund opposes this legislation. SB 177 has been referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee for further work.

Testimony before the Senate Committee on Executive Departments and Administration, Feb. 10, 2011

National

Budget – Preserving funding for the CDFI Fund

Since 2004, the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has sent $8.5 million to the Community Loan Fund to invest in affordable housing, child care and small businesses across New Hampshire. We are expanding our lending to credit-starved small businesses, and the CDFI Fund will play an important part in our ability to finance business growth.

The Community Loan Fund supports the preservation of funding for the CDFI Fund.

Letter to New Hampshire's Congressional delegation, Feb. 14, 2011

2010

New Hampshire

State budget – Preserving funding for the Board of Manufactured Housing

The Board of Manufactured Housing hears disputes between homeowners and park owners and enforces state laws and community rules that protect both residents and owners. Its effective enforcement has made compliance the norm statewide, saving state government money by keeping disputes out of superior court.

The Community Loan Fund supports the preservation of funding for the Board of Manufactured Housing.

Letter to NH Department of Administrative Services Commissioner, Nov. 26, 2010

National

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development – Suggested changes to the PowerSaver Home Energy Retrofit Loan Pilot Program

We suggest three changes that will make the pilot program more equitable, more likely to reach low-income Americans, and more likely to achieve its goals of diversity and impact on low-income households and communities.

Letter to U.S. Dept. Of Housing and Urban Development, Dec. 20, 2011