Exclusionary Zoning and Poverty: A New Hampshire Case Study

Johnny Bassett writes an explainer article focusing on the zoning code of Manchester, New Hampshire as part of the "Invisible Walls" reporting project on the consequences of exclusionary zoning.

The project identifies persistent poverty as a consequence of zoning in Manchester, as well as in the many other local municipalities with similar zoning policies in place around the state. According to Bassett, the history of the city's zoning shows that zoning has "mostly maintained the status quo established by the Amoskeag Company, continuing the pattern of center city poverty and North End wealth that has existed in Manchester since the late 1800s."

The history of zoning in Manchester is especially relevant because the city is updating its code after adopting a new master plan [pdf] in August 2021.

The article calls on numerous experts and research, including a seminal article by William A. Fischel published by the Urban Studies journal in 2004 (Fischel went on to write Zoning Rules! The Economics of Land Use Regulation, published by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in July 2005.

New Hampshire is grappling with skyrocketing housing prices. A recent article for the Concord Monitor written by David Brooks, reports that businesses are having a hard time attracting talent due to the high cost of housing in the state.