Affordable housing is top of mind for Keene residents, as highlighted by a recent series of public conversations, and it will likely be a focus as officials reevaluate long-term goals for the city. The city has conducted input sessions with residents this spring and summer as part of the process to update these goals in the Keene Master Plan. Last revamped in 2010, the plan sets priorities for the city to focus on.
The plan’s latest iteration, which is being worked on now, is called Vision Keene 20-Forward. In addition to meeting with residents, the city also received 648 responses to a survey for the initiative. The most recent public input sessions were held last week, and another event, the Vision Keene 20-Forward Future Summit, is planned for Oct.
5 for people to continue to give their thoughts. “It’s really foundational for everything that the city does, and it drives a lot of community decisions,” Community Development Senior Planner Mari Brunner said of the master plan. Housing has emerged as a major issue in Keene and beyond in recent years.
A 2023 housing needs assessment by the Camoin Associates consulting group found that homes and rentals in the Elm City have become increasingly unaffordable. “I hope that addressing the housing crisis will be a central focus” as the city reimagines its long-term goals, Keene Housing Executive Director Joshua Meehan said. The affordable-housing-focused organization runs properties in Keene and Swanzey, and has a hefty w.