NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSING STUDY SHOWS THAT NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

Study shows demographic influences have greater significance.

BEDFORD, NH – September 27, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority today released a study that examines the impact of new housing construction on school enrollment in the state. “Housing and School Enrollment in New Hampshire: 2000-2010 – A Decade of Dramatic Change” was prepared by Applied Economic Research and commissioned by New Hampshire Housing to update findings from two previous studies on the same issue and to confirm whether the findings from the 2004 and 2005 studies still held true in the aftermath of the housing market crash.

Using 2010 census data, as well as case studies of four communities in various parts of the state, the new housing study demonstrates that the conclusions reached in the earlier studies remain valid today. Those conclusions stated that new housing construction has a much smaller impact on a community’s school enrollment patterns than do demographic influences, such as an aging population.

“Both reports, which span a decade that included significant economic and demographic shifts statewide, show that new housing construction creates less of a burden to our schools than other factors,” stated Dean Christon, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing.

In the 1990s, the state experienced rapid population growth, increasing by 11%, and saw an even higher rate of increase in the number of students enrolled in school. In fact, New Hampshire saw 39,000 new students – a 24% increase – during that decade. The decade between 2000 and 2010 shows the same relationship of demographics and school enrollment, but in reverse. While the population in the state increased by 80,714, school enrollment dropped by 21,600 students.

Similarly, when looking at how new housing construction impacts school enrollment, the 2005 study and the new study again concur. In analyzing individual sample communities the 2005 study concluded that the number of bedrooms per structure was the greatest determinant in how many students were added to the schools; this still holds true today. Detached single family homes continue to generate a larger number of students per unit than condominiums, manufactured housing or multi-family rental housing.

The full report is available in printable format online at http://www.nhhfa.org/rl_hses.cfm. In addition, Census data for New Hampshire may also be accessed on the website as part of New Hampshire Housing’s newly redesigned online interactive housing and demographic data.

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority is a self-supporting, public benefit corporation established by the state legislature. The Authority operates a number of programs designed to assist low- and moderate-income persons to obtain housing. Since its inception, New Hampshire Housing has helped more than 39,000 families purchase their own homes and has been instrumental in financing the creation of more than 14,000 multi-family housing units. More information about its programs can be found on the agency’s website at www.nhhfa.org.

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Jane Law
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