New Hampshire is facing a housing shortage which affects residents of most income brackets. With rental housing availability at less than 2% solutions are needed to increase the quantity of housing for young families and workers. However, the anti-growth group Bedford Residents Association (BRA) rails against common-sense, environmentally friendly ideas of new urbanism, practiced in hundreds of cities and towns across the US and globally like walkable blocks and streets, decreasing single-use, low-density development and promotion of public transit and bikes.

The BRA departs from old fashioned NIMBYism to downright racism reminiscent of the White Citizens Councils in the South decades ago which opposed desegregation and other civil rights advances. The BRA objects to a “lack of division by “race and income” (i.e. social engineering and redistribution of wealth)” warning that “Regional governments make sure no town is lacking a “mix” of people of all socio-economic levels.” Apparently the idea of having to share a neighborhood with people that may not look like you is frightening to the BRA, which makes it clear that desegregated housing and communities need to be actively opposed.

This view is an obvious reaction to the fact that NH is becoming more diverse with 2020 census data showing a nearly 75 percent jump in non-white residents during the last decade. This antiquated, discriminatory viewpoint is a dangerous deterrent to the economic development and smart growth the Granite State desperately needs to ensure continued growth of our economy for the benefit of everyone.