Resources will Fund Housing and Public Facility Projects throughout the Granite State
(Concord, N.H.) – The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) has awarded $4.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to ten New Hampshire communities. These critical resources will support housing and public facility projects in communities throughout the state.
“These organizations provide critical services in their communities. We are pleased, CDFA could offer support to expand or renovate their facilities, to help enhance their operations and continue with their important work. These ten projects are making significant differences in their communities,” stated Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director of CDFA.
Projects approved by CDFA’s Community Development Advisory Board on November 7 include:
Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter: Hillsborough County was awarded $500,000 on behalf of the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, Inc. (NSKS) to renovate the former St. Patrick’s Elementary School in downtown Nashua into a homeless shelter with supportive services and permanent housing. The building will allow NSKS to increase the number of shelter units for single women; double the number of family shelter units; provide nearly a dozen new units of permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness, a much needed day center and create space for young children experiencing homelessness so they have a safe place where they can thrive.
G.A.L.A.: The Town of Wolfeboro was awarded $500,000 on behalf of G.A.L.A. Community Center (Global Awareness Local Action) for the rehabilitation of the G.A.L.A. Community Makerspace and Incubator located at 23 Bay Street in Wolfeboro. G.A.L.A. will create a sustainable, accessible, inclusive and flexible community makerspace & incubator which will grow with the changing needs of its users and which supports collaborative learning for all ages, career pathways, and develop businesses. The project will enhance and complement existing community efforts and attract young families to stay, work, and play in Carroll County.
Sullivan County TRAILS: Sullivan County was awarded $500,000 to acquire and repurpose a commercial building located at 19 Sullivan Street in Claremont to house the Transitional Reentry and Inmate Life Skills (TRAILS) program. The TRAILS facility or “Sullivan House” will provide transitional housing and supportive services to ex-offenders trying to get back on their feet, into the workforce and into thei communities. The three story building, which has over 12,000 square feet of space, will include 28 recovery beds for males and 14 fo females with room for expansion. There will also be classroom/conference space for up to 25 participants and study areas for males and females.
Southwest Community Services, Inc.: The City of Keene was awarded $500,000 on behalf of Southwestern Community Services, Inc. (SCS) to purchase three shelter facilities. CDBG funds will support the purchase of the shelter facilities, which SCS already leases and operates. The project will ensure more than forty (40) units of shelter space and/or transitional housing are maintained and livable.
Headrest: The City of Lebanon was awarded $496,500 on behalf of Headrest to renovate their residential and outpatient treatment facility at 14 Church Street. The building houses a low intensity treatment facility for people struggling with substance use disorders, offering both residential and outpatient settings. Headrest also provides the only accredited suicide/crisis phone line in New Hampshire, where in 2018, 9,000 individuals called for assistance. Nearly all of Headrest’s clients are individuals with low- or moderate-income. Headrest plans to use the funds to renovate and expand their facility so it can function in a cost-effective way while continuing to serve the multiple needs of clients and staff and remain flexible to adapt as some needs may shift and change in the future.
Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Inc.: The City of Laconia was awarded $161,000 on behalf of Lakes Region Community Developers to renovate a four-unit apartment building at 85- 87 Elm Street. The renovations will upgrade dilapidated transitional housing to create healthier, safer and more affordable housing and address critical shortages of affordable housing in the area.
Town of Derry: The Town of Derry was awarded $290,000 in CDBG funds on behalf of the Derry Housing and Redevelopment Authority to complete building revitalization activities at the Vernon C. Kelley Apartments. The property is comprised of three buildings, each with four units, housing very low-income, elderly, handicapped, and/or disabled tenants. Plans for renovations include new roofs, insulation, siding, heating units, refrigerators, stoves, and the resurfacing of all walkways and parking areas.
City of Claremont: The City of Claremont, through the Claremont Housing Authority, was awarded $500,000 for the renovation of 56 Opera House Square. The project will revitalize 10,000 square feet of commercial space in the City’s Downtown Historic District which will then be leased by the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts. The facility will have performance and gallery spaces, an art studio, practice rooms, a screening room, recording facility, and a commercial kitchen. The new facility will be centrally located in Claremont’s downtown, enabling the organization to provide professional music and arts experiences, diverse musicians, and educational opportunities to the community of Claremont.
Town of Exeter: The Town of Exeter was awarded $500,000 in CDBG funds on behalf of the Icey Hill Cooperative, Inc., a 16-unit manufactured housing cooperative park in Exeter, to address significant issues with both its water and wastewater systems.
Town of Salem: The Town of Salem was awarded $245,000 in CDBG funds on behalf of the Salem Housing Authority to complete building revitalization activities at the Millville Arms Apartments in Salem. Millville Arms is a 75-unit low-income public housing project for very-low income elderly, handicapped and disabled individuals. The complex was built in 1976 and needs upgrades, including new roofs, insulation and air sealing, heating/cooling unit replacement, and energy savings improvements that will include energy efficient appliances.
Funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is provided to New Hampshire through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
To learn more about CDFA, its impact on New Hampshire communities, and available funding resources, visit www.nhcdfa.org.
About the Community Development Finance Authority
The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan and equity programs. Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA and its programs visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170.
