True to its mission of building capacity in New Hampshire communities, the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) invested in an affordable housing project in Berlin that brought 20 new apartment units to the City in 2024.
With a population of approximately 9,500 and a poverty rate of 14.6% (according to the U.S. Census), along with rents that have markedly increased over the past decade, the City of Berlin requires more housing that is accessible to low- and moderate-income residents. In 2022, as part of its efforts to expand opportunities for housing development, the City identified the vacant Brown School at the corner of Norway and Main Streets for rehabilitation and conversion into housing. The elementary school had closed several years earlier as part of a city-wide downsizing effort.
TKB Properties, LLC, a subsidiary of New England Family Housing, developed the former Bartlett School into apartments in 2013 and was ultimately selected for the Brown School project. To jumpstart the initiative, the City of Berlin applied for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through CDFA. Recognizing the immediate and long-term value this project would provide, the project was awarded $500,000 to the City of Berlin on behalf of TKB Properties, LLC. The development began in earnest after receiving the necessary approvals.
“The impact of these resources is really the catalyst for making this project happen,” says Kevin Lacasse, CEO of New England Family Housing. “After Covid, construction expenses escalated to the point where this project would not have been feasible otherwise. However, due to these resources, we have now delivered 20 much-needed apartments to the community.”
New opportunities abound
TKB Properties, LLC completed its renovation of the former Brown School in 2024. Of the 20 one- and two-bedroom rental housing units created, 75 percent – 15 units – are designated as affordable housing. The remaining five are market rate apartments. Several units in the development are also ADA-compliant.
“The Brown School project, funded in part with CDBG funds through CDFA, is key during a time where the community is facing a shortage of available rentals,” explains Pamela Laflamme, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assistant City Manager, City of Berlin. “These are safe, high quality and affordable for our residents. CDFA has been an important partner in assisting local developers and the City to make projects work here in Berlin.”
Along with the affordable housing benefit the project delivers, it provides the City of Berlin with tax revenue that will support other municipal needs.
This winning strategy of preservation and rehabilitation breathed new life into an unused city property – while providing individuals and families the opportunity to secure housing they can afford. CDFA is committed to investing in projects like these that tangibly improve New Hampshire communities.
