Ed Twaddell: Twaddell supports practical solutions to housing crisis in Meredith

To The Daily Sun,

The rising cost of education, the shortage of housing within reach of working families, and the difficulty local employers face finding workers are not separate problems. They are closely connected — and Meredith families and taxpayers feel the consequences.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ 2025 Housing Supply Report, the state has added only 78.5% of the amount called for by the New Hampshire Statewide Housing Needs Assessment between 2020 and 2025.

When workers cannot find suitable housing within their budgets, employers struggle to fill jobs and young families are forced to look elsewhere. That means fewer children in our schools, declining enrollment, and higher costs per student for the taxpayers who remain.

Strong public schools are essential to attracting and retaining young families, but education funding cannot be considered in isolation from housing and economic growth. Good schools are an important part of the solution, but they are not the only part.

This issue is not academic. It is about whether our children and grandchildren will be able to build their lives here, whether local employers will have the workers they need, and whether taxpayers can continue to afford the rising cost of public services.

In Concord, I would support practical solutions that expand housing opportunities for working families while respecting Meredith’s character and local decision-making. I would also work to reduce unnecessary burdens on the employers who create jobs and sustain our community.

My experience as a military officer taught me to examine complex problems, listen to different perspectives, and focus on workable solutions. I am running for state representative to bring that same disciplined, practical approach to serving Meredith in Concord.

I welcome questions and ideas. My campaign webpage is at Twaddell4NH.com.

Ed Twaddell

Meredith