Harvey Heights Award of ExcellenceWe are proud to share that LRCD received an Award of Excellence from the Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) for our work at Harvey Heights in Meredith. The award serves to recognize an organization for an exciting and innovative project that has been conceived and successfully implemented in a community over the last year. The completed project must also serve a public good. Special thanks to all involved! LRCD Executive Director, Carmen Lorentz received the award on behalf of LRCD from David Katz, Vice Chair of LRPC.  Harvey Heights New SignTo go with its beautiful renovations, the sign for Harvey Heights also received a facelift! Check out the before and after pics below. Grappone Supports Gale School Project
“We love the CDFA tax credit program and we think the Gale School is a great project to invest in because of the impact it will have on working families in the Lakes Region,” said Amanda Osmer, Owner of Grappone Automotive Group (pictured right Carmen Lorentz). LRCD was awarded $750,000 in credits for the Gale School project, and has sold $530,000 to date. FACES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING: DONKA FACCIOLO
arthrogryposis has rendered her non-ambulatory and requires the support of a wheelchair to be mobile. After graduating high school in 2006, Donka knew that moving out of her family home was the next step to the life of independence she so desperately wanted. She immediately sought help in making this dream a reality. Donka and her family turned to their assigned resource coordinator at Lakes Region Community Services for support. There's so much more! Click HERE to read Donka's full story featured in the Laconia Daily Sun. PARTNERSHIP WITH PEMI VALLEY |
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SAL STEVEN-HUBBARD-10 YEARS WITH LRCD
 | June 18th marked the 10th work anniversary for our intrepid Real Estate Development Director, Sal Steven-Hubbard. Sal joined us when Harriman Hill Phase 1 in Wolfeboro was celebrating its ribbon-cutting. Sal subsequently developed Lochmere Meadows Phase 2 in Tilton, Harriman Hill Phase 2, River's Edge Apartments in Laconia, and Gilford Village |
Knolls III. She also facilitated the preservation and renovation of Ames Brook Apartments in Ashland and Harvey Heights in Meredith, and oversaw the transformation of 658 Union Avenue into Compass House, an eight-bed group home for women in recovery. That is 172 units of housing that Sal has added to LRCD’s portfolio during her tenure!
Sal has been committed to the cause of creating healthy and affordable homes for people of low-income for 31 years. We are so grateful that she has chosen to deploy her skills for the last 10 years here at LRCD.
Happy work anniversary, Sal! We appreciate all you do.
Sal has been committed to the cause of creating healthy and affordable homes for people of low-income for 31 years. We are so grateful that she has chosen to deploy her skills for the last 10 years here at LRCD.
Happy work anniversary, Sal! We appreciate all you do.
 | GALE SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT kicks off year two of tax credit sales! Help save a piece of history, and provide child care and family supports. $250,000 in tax credits available now! Make a Pledge now or contact Carmen Lorentz.LE AT LRCD |
CAITLIN MEANEY - NEW ROLE AT LRCD
 | As LRCD’s Resource Development Director since 2014, Caitlin has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for LRCD’s mission. June 19th marked Caitlin’s eighth work anniversary with LRCD. To celebrate this milestone, Caitlin is transitioning into a new role on our asset management team. This move expands our capacity to sustain and care for our growing real estate portfolio. |
Caitlin’s commitment to the cause of affordable housing, her inquisitive nature, and her excellent attention to detail make her ideal for this new role.
Over the next year, Caitlin aims to secure her Asset Management Specialist Certification from the Consortium for Housing and Asset Management and she will be hitting the books at Lakes Region Community College to develop her knowledge of accounting so she has all the skills and tools to be successful in her new role.
We are excited to support Caitlin’s growth and development here at LRCD! She’s a valued team member and so much fun to work with.
Over the next year, Caitlin aims to secure her Asset Management Specialist Certification from the Consortium for Housing and Asset Management and she will be hitting the books at Lakes Region Community College to develop her knowledge of accounting so she has all the skills and tools to be successful in her new role.
We are excited to support Caitlin’s growth and development here at LRCD! She’s a valued team member and so much fun to work with.
 | In case you missed it, last month NH Housing put out their semi-annual “Housing Market Report” showing trends in the homeowner and rental markets. The introduction by new Director Rob Dapice sure caught our eye when he wrote, “The cost of building materials alone has jumped 19.2% year-over-year, and 35.6% since the start of the pandemic.” LRCD has definitely been impacted by this issue. Thanks to NH Housing for producing this great analysis to keep the focus on NH’s tremendous need for housing! You can access the report HERE. |
The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing
An Op-Ed by: Carmen Lorentz, LRCD Executive Director & Dana Nute, Resilient Buildings Group President
Imagine if you will, a happy little family. There’s a single mother with two children and although she works full time, her income coupled with the ever-rising cost of living continues to make it difficult for her to make ends meet. So, to ease the burden, she and her family move into a less expensive apartment. It’s not as nice, but she can more easily afford the rent. Great! Problem solved, right? Turns out, it’s not quite that simple.
That single mother may be saving on her rent, but statistics show that her energy burden (the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs), is likely to be higher. According to the Department of Energy's Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool, the national average energy burden for low-income households is 8.6%. That’s three times higher than for non-low-income households which is estimated at 3%. READ MORE
That single mother may be saving on her rent, but statistics show that her energy burden (the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs), is likely to be higher. According to the Department of Energy's Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool, the national average energy burden for low-income households is 8.6%. That’s three times higher than for non-low-income households which is estimated at 3%. READ MORE
SUMMER GREEN TIP
| GO ELECTRIC! Gas engines like the ones your lawnmower and weed wacker use are small, but they pack a punch on air quality. Did you know that using your gas-powered lawnmower for one hour produces the same amount of emissions as driving your car 64 miles?! Switching to electric will reduce your emissions to zero. |  |
Harriman Hill Nature Trail is Complete!
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We are thrilled to share that this nature trail was just finished at our 48-unit rental property in Wolfeboro!
The non-motorized recreation trail is roughly 1800 feet long with a 5-6 foot wide compacted gravel surface, running from the southern portion of the housing complex and heading southwest to Route 109A.
Special thanks to the Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition (ELRHC), our partner in Harriman Hill who raised the funds needed for this project and oversaw the construction. THANK YOU!
ELRHC named the trail in honor of Edie DesMarais, a founding member of ELRHC whose dedication to the cause of affordable housing made the Harriman Hill development possible. On June 15th, LRCD and ELRHC hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of “Edie’s Trail” and honor Edie for her many contributions.
The non-motorized recreation trail is roughly 1800 feet long with a 5-6 foot wide compacted gravel surface, running from the southern portion of the housing complex and heading southwest to Route 109A.
Special thanks to the Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition (ELRHC), our partner in Harriman Hill who raised the funds needed for this project and oversaw the construction. THANK YOU!
ELRHC named the trail in honor of Edie DesMarais, a founding member of ELRHC whose dedication to the cause of affordable housing made the Harriman Hill development possible. On June 15th, LRCD and ELRHC hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of “Edie’s Trail” and honor Edie for her many contributions.
 | THANK YOU to all those who generously donated to LRCD June 7-8 during the state's largest day of giving. Lakes Region Community Developers' continues to work to address the housing crisis in the Lakes Region, and your support is crucial to our success. |
 | This month LRCD joins HUD in celebrating National Healthy Homes Month. Since 2020, LRCD has been systematically doing lead testing (and abatement where necessary) on all of our older buildings in Laconia to obtain Lead Safe Certificates. We want to ensure our portfolio is 100% lead safe. |
Mother, college student, hard worker, community-driven, and advocate are just a few of the words one could use to describe Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) Resident and Board Member, Carrie Duran.
| The NH native and divorced/single mom of three girls, moved back to NH in 2013 after spending several years in Los Angeles where she had hopes of becoming a star, and later got married and started a family. While she may not be a star in Hollywood’s terms (she decided it wasn’t the right path for her), she is a star right here in her community. Carrie and her “girls”, as she likes to refer to them are residents in LRCD’s Harriman Hill apartments in Wolfeboro. Since her return to NH, Carrie has not stopped. For more on Carrie's story, click HERE. |  |
| During a week-long celebration of neighborhood improvement activities nationally recognized as NeighborWorks Week, residents and volunteers recently came together at seven Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) properties to build or re-plant community gardens. During NeighborWorks Week (June 4-11), LRCD and other NeighborWorks network organizations across the country celebrate the successes of communities and how NeighborWorks organizations and residents work together to empower people to enhance their lives. LRCD Executive Director, Carmen Lorentz said, “After the long, difficult winter, residents enjoyed working together outside in the fresh air. In recent surveys, tenants expressed a desire for health & wellness programs and, specifically, opportunities to garden. We are thrilled to help them achieve this goal and help them grow vegetables to feed their families.” |  |
LRCD is part of the national NeighborWorks network, an affiliation of nearly 250 nonprofit organizations located in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Throughout the year, NeighborWorks network organizations empower people to take steps to achieve their goals, such as make their community safer, find and maintain secure housing, and ensure financial stability, which leads to thriving, healthier communities. In fiscal year 2021, the NeighborWorks network provided 470,704 housing and counseling services; created 22,001 new homeowners; and constructed, acquired and preserved 13,749 rental homes.
Faces of Affordable Housing
LRCD and Lakes Region Community Services have partnered to bring you the powerful stories of people living in our community. We will share their life journeys, struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. We think you will find that their goals and dreams are not so different from your own. Affordable housing is about everyone in our community being able to afford a home that supports good physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
Thank you Lakes Region Community Services for providing the latest installment of the Faces of Affordable Housing.
Thank you Lakes Region Community Services for providing the latest installment of the Faces of Affordable Housing.
| Chantal Bonbon, her mother, brother and his now-wife moved to the Lakes Region from Massachusetts when Chantal was just six years old. The family settled down in a home in Meredith. Over the next 11 years, Chantal attended Inter-Lakes Elementary and High School. Unfortunately, after finishing her sophomore year, Chantal’s life was flipped upside down when she and her family lost their home to a devastating fire in June 2011. Within a matter of minutes, everything they owned was gone. The family was forced to move from hotel to hotel until they could find a more permanent residence. Luckily, thanks to the help of the community, Chantal and her family were able to secure housing within a week and moved into an apartment at Harvey Heights, a community owned by Lakes Region Community Developers. For the rest of Chantal's story click here. |  |
Gilford Community Church Supports Gale School Project
Gilford Community Church provides a grant of $25,000 in support of the redevelopment of the Gale School in Belmont. The project will transform the historic schoolhouse into a community facility that will include a new early learning center operated by the Boys & Girls Club and a new program center operated by Lakes Region Community Services.
To read full press release click here https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/latestnews
To read full press release click here https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/latestnews
Help Save a Piece of History,
Provide Child Care & Family Supports
$220,000 in NH Business Tax Credits Available to Support the Gale School Project
To learn more about how your business can support this project, please visit https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/gale-school-fundraising.html or contact Carmen Lorentz at (603) 524-0747 ext 110 or CLorentz@LRcommunitydevelopers.org. Thank you.
Provide Child Care & Family Supports
$220,000 in NH Business Tax Credits Available to Support the Gale School Project
To learn more about how your business can support this project, please visit https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/gale-school-fundraising.html or contact Carmen Lorentz at (603) 524-0747 ext 110 or CLorentz@LRcommunitydevelopers.org. Thank you.
Another Take the Wheel Graduate
Our most recent graduate is a mom of two who was driving a car that was no longer road worthy and unsafe. She now has a safe, reliable, and fuel efficient car to get her kids where they need to go! Congratulations to her and as always a huge thanks to our Take the Wheel partners, Franklin Savings Bank, Grappone Automotive Group, and HOMEteam NH!
Green Tip - Energy Week
As a NeighborWorks America Green Designated Organization we have incorporated green practices across all lines of business. As an organization it is important to us that we remain steadfast stewards of our precious resources and inspire our neighbors to see the value and ease of incorporating green practices into their lives. We hope you enjoy our monthly Green Tip.
LRCD's Executive Director, Carmen Lorentz, participated in NHEnergy Week as a panelist on Monday. You can watch the panels discussion by clicking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LFoYpCmYEw&t=2418s
That got us thinking on way we can all decrease our energy usage. Please some things that you can do below.
That got us thinking on way we can all decrease our energy usage. Please some things that you can do below.
- Take advantage of a home energy audit
A home energy audit is an assessment that allows you to identify the best ways to improve the energy efficiency in your home. This audit easily identifies which areas of the house require the most electricity and cooling and is important for reducing waste. Check out some energy audit resources at NHSaves.com - Use power strips whenever possible
Power strips are particularly useful due to the fact that they help users to avoid overloading electrical outlets and prevent them from draining unnecessary energy. Power strips also help to efficiently distribute energy to appliances. With efficiency comes shorter wait time for devices to charge and also less wasted energy, which is quite beneficial financially. - Switch to LED light bulbs
LED bulbs have greater overall efficiency, overcoming flaws in incandescent bulbs like their poor ability to function in cold temperatures. LEDs also have a much longer life than incandescent bulbs, making up for their greater upfront cost. LEDs have a more durable bust than other bulbs and do not burn out as traditional lights do, but rather dim into darkness.
THANK YOU RESILIENT BUILDINGS GROUP - 2022 VISIONARY SPONSOR
We are thrilled to announce Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) as this year’s LRCD Visionary Sponsor.
RBG, based in Concord, provides customized consulting services to reduce energy costs, improve the comfort and durability of buildings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With four divisions (High Performance, Utilities, Low Income / Multifamily, Construction Management), they work in retail and office buildings, multifamily buildings, health clubs, schools and municipal buildings, manufacturing facilities, and more. Their mission is to scale-up the number and quality of high performance, low-energy-use, resilient buildings in New England.
Dana Nute, RBG President and Member of the LRCD Board of Directors, explained his decision to sign on as LRCD’s Visionary Sponsor, saying, “Being on the Board, I know what’s going on there and they far exceed a lot of other developers.” In addition, before starting RBG, Dana worked for a community action agency where he was doing housing rehab and weatherization, making him quite familiar with low-income housing. Dana adds, “It’s always been my interest to help people.”
What does this type of support mean for LRCD? Carmen Lorentz, LRCD Executive Director says, “It’s great! The financial support is huge, but in addition to that, Dana and his team help us out on a lot of projects.” LRCD is always looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. Dana has also graciously offered to have RBG conduct energy audits at several of LRCD’s older buildings. Carmen shares, “It’s really great to have him as a trusted advisor in those projects.”
While these energy improvement projects benefit the environment and LRCD, they also benefit LRCD’s tenants. With more energy efficient buildings, LRCD can lessen the monthly utility bill burden of its tenants.
RBG, based in Concord, provides customized consulting services to reduce energy costs, improve the comfort and durability of buildings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With four divisions (High Performance, Utilities, Low Income / Multifamily, Construction Management), they work in retail and office buildings, multifamily buildings, health clubs, schools and municipal buildings, manufacturing facilities, and more. Their mission is to scale-up the number and quality of high performance, low-energy-use, resilient buildings in New England.
Dana Nute, RBG President and Member of the LRCD Board of Directors, explained his decision to sign on as LRCD’s Visionary Sponsor, saying, “Being on the Board, I know what’s going on there and they far exceed a lot of other developers.” In addition, before starting RBG, Dana worked for a community action agency where he was doing housing rehab and weatherization, making him quite familiar with low-income housing. Dana adds, “It’s always been my interest to help people.”
What does this type of support mean for LRCD? Carmen Lorentz, LRCD Executive Director says, “It’s great! The financial support is huge, but in addition to that, Dana and his team help us out on a lot of projects.” LRCD is always looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. Dana has also graciously offered to have RBG conduct energy audits at several of LRCD’s older buildings. Carmen shares, “It’s really great to have him as a trusted advisor in those projects.”
While these energy improvement projects benefit the environment and LRCD, they also benefit LRCD’s tenants. With more energy efficient buildings, LRCD can lessen the monthly utility bill burden of its tenants.
MEREDITH RENOVATIONS UPDATE
Construction began January 3rd on the $5.4 million project to renovate the 25-unit Deer Run apartment complex at 62 Pleasant Street in Meredith, NH. Construction is scheduled to last 12 months.
The renovations of four units are complete at Harvey Heights Apartments in Meredith, NH. Four Harvey Heights residents will be vacating their current apartments, move into their new updated units, and renovations will begin on their old units. Renovations will continue to work in phases like this to limit the number of transitions and disruptions for residents as much as possible. Renovated units have new flooring, kitchen cabinets, window, countertops, energy-efficient appliances and so much more. Common areas are also being renovated.
To learn more about this project visit our website at https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/projects.html
The renovations of four units are complete at Harvey Heights Apartments in Meredith, NH. Four Harvey Heights residents will be vacating their current apartments, move into their new updated units, and renovations will begin on their old units. Renovations will continue to work in phases like this to limit the number of transitions and disruptions for residents as much as possible. Renovated units have new flooring, kitchen cabinets, window, countertops, energy-efficient appliances and so much more. Common areas are also being renovated.
To learn more about this project visit our website at https://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.org/projects.html
COMMUNITY BUILDING - AMES BROOK GIRL SCOUT TROOP
Some of the young ladies from Ames Brook Apartments have formed a Girl Scout Troop. Ten girls make up newly formed Troop #62017. They are really enjoying building new friendships, learning new things, creating new memories, and of course the cookies!
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER PROGRAM GRADUATE
Tara & Brian, a young couple with three children, joined the LRCD’s Transitional program in 2018. Both Tara & Brian experienced significant trauma in their childhood. Tara had her first child very young. Before coming to the program, they had been couch-surfing for months and staying in a run-down apartment with no running water. The family ended up owing a large sum of money to the previous landlord, making it difficult to secure housing.
Once in the program, Tara & Brian enrolled in a youth employment program that assists people to remove barriers to successful employment. They both obtained jobs shortly after. Within several months in the program, they paid off their debt to the previous landlord and a utility company. They paid their rent and utilities on time throughout their time in our program and complied with all lease and Transitional Program contract obligations. They attended numerous parent education classes, financial workshops, and a tenant course.
Tara & Brian were on track to graduate in early 2020. When the pandemic hit, they lost their childcare, keeping Tara from going to work. Tara decided to use this time to get her GED. Tara then successfully became a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and began working full-time in healthcare in the spring of 2021. The family felt economically secure and graduated from the program in December 2021. Tara & Brian are now paying full rent in a beautiful 4-bedroom LRCD unit.
LRCD is proud of the progress Tara & Brian have made and the resilience they have shown. Our Transitional Shelter Program provides safe shelter and intensive case management for homeless families and individuals while they work on stabilizing their employment, finances, and health. This successful program has provided participants with a path out of homelessness for over 20 years. The program continues to be a place where people can recover, heal, and learn.
Once in the program, Tara & Brian enrolled in a youth employment program that assists people to remove barriers to successful employment. They both obtained jobs shortly after. Within several months in the program, they paid off their debt to the previous landlord and a utility company. They paid their rent and utilities on time throughout their time in our program and complied with all lease and Transitional Program contract obligations. They attended numerous parent education classes, financial workshops, and a tenant course.
Tara & Brian were on track to graduate in early 2020. When the pandemic hit, they lost their childcare, keeping Tara from going to work. Tara decided to use this time to get her GED. Tara then successfully became a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and began working full-time in healthcare in the spring of 2021. The family felt economically secure and graduated from the program in December 2021. Tara & Brian are now paying full rent in a beautiful 4-bedroom LRCD unit.
LRCD is proud of the progress Tara & Brian have made and the resilience they have shown. Our Transitional Shelter Program provides safe shelter and intensive case management for homeless families and individuals while they work on stabilizing their employment, finances, and health. This successful program has provided participants with a path out of homelessness for over 20 years. The program continues to be a place where people can recover, heal, and learn.
NEWEST TAKE THE WHEEL GRADUATE
Our newest program graduate's old vehicle had become unusable and she was depending on rides from her mother and friends. After receiving a promotion with a pay increase at her job at the Tanger outlets she felt like she could manage a car loan. With financial counseling provided by HOMEteam and a low-rate loan provided by Franklin Savings Bank she was able to graduate Take the Wheel NH and successfully purchase a pre-owned Honda CR-V from Grappone Automotive.
FAQs - WHAT IS RESIDENT SERVICES?
LRCD has provided resident services to assist the families that reside in LRCD homes since our inception. Resident Services are available to all of our residents. Resident Services assists residents in becoming the best residents they can be by assisting in upholding their lease obligations by paying rent on time, maintaining proper care of their units, and being good neighbors.
Some of the other things our Resident Services Coordinators assist residents with include but are not limited to:
Some of the other things our Resident Services Coordinators assist residents with include but are not limited to:
- budgeting;
- connecting to financial resources;
- connecting to community resources
- parent education, health care
- mental health services,
- child care,
- employment,
- continuing education (high school, GED, college)
- & recreation activities;
- understanding your lease;
- benefit application and gathering of required documents;
- help in managing conflicts; and
- advocacy & referral.
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