O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

As a Manchester resident, I’m alarmed by Donald Trump’s looming cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which would exacerbate New Hampshire’s housing crisis. 

And I’m even more alarmed that Governor Ayotte couldn’t seem to care less. 

The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has helped our city tackle this crisis head-on. Its funds have been used to develop 161 affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income families, while also allowing the city to serve over 20,000 Granite Staters. Federal programs like this one can go a long way in helping meet our community’s needs.    

Unfortunately, Republicans have very different plans for the program. The GOP-controlled Senate is gearing up to slash CDBG funding by $200 million. Trump has even gone a step further by proposing its complete elimination.

In the face of these cuts, it’s embarrassing that Ayotte is nowhere to be found. Under Ayotte’s so-called “leadership,” the median price of a new home has skyrocketed to $750,000. She’s done nothing to push back against Trump-induced tariffs on timber and home products that drive up construction costs — probably because she and her GOP colleagues are too busy gutting affordable housing initiatives in Concord. 

If Ayotte is actually fighting for Granite Staters as much as she touts, she’d speak out about the long-term harm these cuts would have on our community. Instead, we have a governor who is more worried about party loyalty than whether or not you can afford rent.

NH Sen. Pat Long, a Democrat, represents District 20 and has served the city as an elected official for 16 years.

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