Latest News - February

Welcome New LRCD Board Members

Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Reuben Bassett, Commercial Agent, The Legacy Group / Keller Williams and John Libby, Certified Public Accountant.
 
LRCD’s Board provides mission-based leadership, supporting the organization’s work to create affordable housing and empower their tenants to achieve economic security.  
 
Reuben and his wife Karen have spent the last 12 years opening and growing restaurants in Laconia, including Burrito Me, Local Eatery, Wayfarer Coffee Roasters, and Wayfarer Coffee Lakeport.
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As a local restauranteur, Reuben is keenly aware of the housing crisis, especially for people who work in the food service industry locally. “The shortage of workforce housing has gotten so bad these past few years. I am excited to join LRCD’s Board so I can be part of the solution.”

John Libby is a Certified Public Accountant in both New Hampshire and Maine with offices in Moultonborough and Dover. His experience consists of assisting businesses and individuals with tax strategy, planning, and compliance, while also delivering a wide range of business advisory services. He currently serves on the board of the Wentworth Economic Development Council in the Wolfeboro area and first became aware of LRCD because of their 48-unit affordable housing complex in Wolfeboro, Harriman Hill.
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“Harriman Hill is a really nice property that provides housing for a lot of employees of local businesses. I look forward to helping LRCD create more housing opportunities like Harriman Hill over on this side of the lake. We really need it.”

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Housing Champion of the Month: Resilient Buildings Group

​We need the financial support of our local business community in order to produce more units of affordable housing for essential workers. Most housing developments that we undertake cost us $150,000 to $300,000 before we can get a shovel in the ground.

Email [email protected] today if your business would like to be a Housing Champion.

“We are proud to support LRCD’s work to address the housing crisis in the Lakes Region. We also love that they go to great lengths to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy in all their developments – our missions are highly aligned.”
—Dana Nute, President of Resilient Buildings Group

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Bay Street Apartments

​LRCD is partnering with Lakes Region Mental Health Center to create 12 units of supportive housing for people of very low income at 17-19 Bay Street in Laconia. According to a draft rental gap analysis by Lakes Region Planning Commission, Laconia needs 584 more units of housing affordable to people under 30% of area median income, which is the demographic that our project will serve.

A fire one year ago destroyed one of the structures on the lot and the other is vacant. Our project will improve this blighted property and result in a beautiful building that fits into the neighborhood.

On February 7th, the Laconia Planning Board approved our conceptual plan. This means we can move forward with a site plan application under the City's performance zoning rules, which provide greater flexibility on issues like density and parking.

Our proposal has generated some opposition from residents in the neighborhood who have been negatively impacted by the homelessness crisis. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misinformation spread about the project. We look forward to demonstrating what a benefit this will be to the neighborhood and to the city as we move through the process.

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Harvey Heights is Complete

​The occupied rehabilitation project at Harvey Heights Apartments in Meredith is now complete! The $5 million renovation project transformed the property inside and out, improving safety, accessibility, ventilation, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

Our vision is for everyone to live in a healthy home – one that is energy efficient, has good indoor air quality, and is free of any hazardous materials such as lead paint, asbestos, or mold. Housing is one of the most important social determinants of health. We are proud of the hard work we did over six years to bring Harvey Heights up to the same standards as the rest of our portfolio because we know what a big impact this has on the families who live there.

Stay tuned for a virtual tour of Harvey Heights next month!

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Partner Spotlight: Neighbors in Need

​Neighbors in Need is a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need within the Laconia, Gilford, Meredith, Tilton and Belmont communities. LRCD’s resident services coordinators work closely with Neighbors in Need to help our tenants overcome barriers or manage crises.
         
Neighbors in Need has helped our residents pay for car repairs, car registrations, dental care, medical treatments, movers, furniture, and cleaning supplies. Neighbors in Need takes the lead in communicating with other local organizations and charities if additional financial resources are needed in order to respond to a request for assistance.
 
LRCD is so thankful for Neighbors in Need. They are the 'catch-all' organization for providing financial assistance and finding local services when it seems all other options are exhausted. Our residents can count on Neighbors in Need to provide help whenever possible – thank you for being a partner our community can rely on!