9.28.2026 City Council

The Portsmouth City Council meeting on September 28, 2026, adopted the Housing Action Plan as presented. Discussion emphasized affordable and workforce housing, parking requirements, and possible additions to the plan, including shared housing and permanently affordable units. The Portsmouth Housing Authority reported that its Sherburne School project is planned to deliver 90 permanently affordable rental units, with a total project cost of about $37.1 million. It has secured $15 million in low-income housing tax credits and is assembling other financing; construction is projected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The Authority requested a city partnership to spread the estimated $1.25 million cost of off-site sewer improvements over time. Council did not approve funding that evening and voted to refer the request to the legal, finance, and public works departments for review and a report back, with a more fully developed proposal expected at a future meeting.

The council also heard from Raftelis, the consultant supporting the city’s stormwater utility evaluation and public engagement; no contract amount or related spending vote was stated. It approved releasing $9,500 from the Lower State Street Pocket Park Trust for landscape consulting and sculpture-installation coordination, and accepted a $14,868 grant for the Portsmouth Police Department. The council extended eligibility for certain existing downtown workforce parking participants through March 1, 2027, and requested a report on off-peak parking options for downtown businesses. No other major contract awards or bid approvals were identified.