Thank you to everyone who joined us for an energizing and insightful day at NHFPI’s 10th Annual Budget & Policy Conference, “Working Hard and Falling Behind: The High Cost of Living in New Hampshire.” Together, policymakers, advocates, business and nonprofit leaders, and community members explored one of the most pressing challenges facing Granite Staters today, and how we can build a more affordable and equitable future for all.

Explore the Research

• Read NHFPI’s report, Affordability Eroded: Changes to the Cost of Living in New Hampshire, which finds that the typical New Hampshire family has lost major ground over the past decade, as the cost of basic necessities has risen substantially faster than household incomes.

• Read Executive Director Gene Martin’s column: New Hampshire’s Affordability Crisis is Real. In the column, Gene Martin writes that New Hampshire’s affordability crisis isn’t about personal choices or lattes — it’s about the math, as rising costs for housing, health care, and more have far outpaced wages, leaving even full-time workers struggling to make ends meet.

2025 Conference Agenda & Slides

(Download the event program here)

Welcome & Opening Remarks – Slides

Main Session – Session Slides (sponsored by Service Credit Union)

High Cost of Health Care – Session Slides

The average cost of a family health care plan, between premium costs for employers and employees, is akin to a family purchasing a used car each year, and that is before deductibles and co-pays. Health care costs are increasing, putting pressure on families and businesses, and reducing access to needed health services for NH residents. This session explored the factors driving high costs, then shift to panelist recommendations on how policymakers and residents can engage in solutions.

Featured speakers:

• Lucy Hodder, Director of Health and Life Sciences Law, UNH’s Franklin Pierce School of Law
• Kirk Williamson, Project Director, Green Mountain Care Board
• Jennifer Frizzell, Project Coordinator, NH Health Cost Initiative
• Deborah Fournier, Director of Health Law and Policy, UNH’s Institute for Health Policy and Practice

High Cost of Rurality – Session Slides

Although not necessarily more expensive, access is harder, distances are longer, and options are fewer for goods and services in rural areas of the state. From child care to health care to reliable internet, rural residents can pay a price for limited availability. This session addressed unique challenges for rural Granite Staters while examining how policy and investment can close the rural affordability gap.

• Julianna Dodson, Executive Director at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship
• Alisa Druzba, Director of Research and Community Impact at the New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation
• Airole Warden, Consultant for the Coös County Child Care Director’s Network

High Cost of Caregiving – Session Slides

Whether caring for young children, aging parents, or loved ones with disabilities, caregiving is essential and expensive for families. There are also impacts for the Granite State economy when individuals have their ability to earn income limited due to caregiving responsibilities. New Hampshire families often struggle to find affordable, high-quality care options while balancing work and financial stability. This session examined the rising costs of caregiving, their impact on households and the workforce, and what policies and investments are needed to support caregivers and those they care for.

• Marrisa Berg, Executive Director at the Community Support Network, Inc.
• Jess Carson, Director of the Center for Social Policy in Practice at UNH Carsey School
• Judith Jones, Healthy Aging Policy Coordinator at New Futures

High Cost of Housing – Session Slides

The cost of housing in New Hampshire is pricing out too many families, young workers, and older adults, with record-high prices and few options for renters and buyers. These pressures are squeezing household budgets and limiting economic mobility. This session explored the root causes of the housing shortage, discuss recent legislative actions, and what other policy levers are available to increase affordability and supply.

• Natch Greyes, Vice President of Public Policy, Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
• Nick Taylor, Director, Housing Action NH
• Sarah Wrightsman, Manager of Community Engagement and Education, New Hampshire Housing

The High Cost of Living: Solutions for a More Affordable New Hampshire – Slides

This session brought together insights from breakouts on health care, caregiving, housing, and rural life and explored cross-cutting solutions that can ease the cost of living for Granite Staters with low- and moderate-incomes. We examined the interconnected drivers of financial strain and shared actionable policy ideas that support economic stability, affordability, and opportunity across New Hampshire communities.

Watch the Highlights

Thank You to Our Sponsors

And Thank You to Our Media Partners