Any conversation about solutions for the homelessness crisis that do not begin and end with housing is fruitless. A lack of housing has exacerbated the homelessness issue and ultimately more housing is the solution. Putting pressure on police departments won’t solve the issue and evicting people experiencing homelessness from tent sites certainly isn’t a solution. And while providing services for those experiencing mental health issues or substance abuse in addition to homelessness is important, it’s ultimately not a solution to the homelessness crisis. Home prices and rents are high because there is not enough housing. Solutions need to focus on creating more units, both for sale and for rent.

Police departments cannot create more housing units. The state has very little ability to create new housing, and the federal government even less. Looking to these institutions to find solutions for the housing and homelessness crisis will prove ineffective. It is zoning boards and planning boards that have the ability to meaningfully impact the supply of housing units. Minimum lot size requirements, road frontage requirements, and parking minimums within zoning ordinances and planning regulations limit housing supply. Reviewing and adjusting these types of requirements is the most important and most effective approach to combating the housing and homelessness crisis. So instead of looking to the governor or police chiefs for solutions we should be focusing on zoning boards and planning boards.

Christopher Knight

Concord

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