Governor Ayotte Proclaims June 7-14 NeighborWorks Week

CONCORD – Governor Kelly Ayotte recently issued a proclamation declaring June 7 – 14 as NeighborWorks Week in the State of New Hampshire, and encouraging “all citizens to recognize and support the vital work being done by NeighborWorks organizations to build stronger, more resilient communities.” The full text of the proclamation can be found online at governor.nh.gov.
 
Chartered by Congress in 1978, NeighborWorks America is a network of nearly 250 non-profit organizations across the country who receive support from NeighborWorks America through grants, training and partnerships that create affordable housing and promote community well-being. Every year, during NeighborWork Week, the network celebrates their collective impact. The theme this year is “Creating Homes, Building America,” which reflects the significant impact that NeighborWorks America has on the nation’s housing affordability crisis.
 
There are four NeighborWorks organizations in New Hampshire: AHEAD in the North Country, CATCH Neighborhood Housing in Merrimack County, Lakes Region Community Developers, and NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire. In 2024, the four organizations collectively invested over $67 million in affordable housing in New Hampshire, owned and operated 2,246 affordable rental homes, created 202 new affordable rental homes, and provided 1,027 people with first-time homebuyer education and financial counseling.
 
“We are so happy that Governor Ayotte chose to celebrate NeighborWorks Week with us by issuing this proclamation,” said Carmen Lorentz, executive director of Lakes Region Community Developers. “It helps build awareness of the work we do every day to create affordable housing opportunities in our communities.”
 
Nation-wide in 2024, NeighborWorks America and its network delivered:

• $11.2 billion in total investment across the country
• 431,549 housing and counseling services
• 104,957 individuals educated or counseled
• 16,269 new homeowners
• 211,856 rental homes owned or managed
• 83,986 homes repaired
• 13,542 rental homes constructed, acquired or preserved
• 12,844 homes preserved or rehabbed
• 48,885 jobs created or maintained

 
NeighborWorks America is a congressionally chartered and funded organization that brings national resources to local communities. For every $1 of NeighborWorks’ congressional appropriation, $71 are leveraged and invested in housing and community development projects across the country.
 
Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) has been a chartered member of NeighborWorks America since 2000. LRCD’s rental portfolio of 366 affordable apartments provides healthy, affordable housing to over 750 people each year. In 2025, LRCD is adding 15 units of supportive housing in Laconia; plans to begin construction on 30 affordable apartments in Wolfeboro; plans to begin construction on the redevelopment of the Gale School in Belmont for childcare and family supports; will invest over $1.2 million to improve its existing rental portfolio in Laconia and Meredith; and will continue pre-development work on a project that will deliver 80 affordable homes in Ashland. To learn more about Lakes Region Community Developers and/or its leadership team, visit LRcommunitydevelopers.org.

Photo caption:
From left to right: Tom Furtado, CATCH Neighborhood Housing; Robert Tourigny, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, Governor Kelly Ayotte; Carmen Lorentz, Lakes Region Community Developers; and Harrison Kanzler, AHEAD.
 
 
###