Latest News - July 2020

Franklin Savings Bank Pledges $15,000 to 193 Court Street Project

$185,000 in NH Business Tax Credits Available

We moved into 193 Court Street, Laconia last summer, but the renovations are not done! Last, year, we did all the work we could afford to do to convert the vacant building into our headquarters and the hub of our community building & engagement work in Laconia. The items still left to do include: more insulation, new siding on the north and west walls, parking lot improvements, and landscaping. If your business pays NH business enterprise or business profits taxes in NH, you can redirect a significant portion of your tax liability to a local project like this. Please contact Carmen at [email protected] if you are interested in supporting the 193 Court Street Project.
 
A huge shout-out and THANK YOU to Franklin Savings Bank for being our first tax credit donor for 193 Court Street with their $15,000 pledge!

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NH Housing Relief Program

The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery recently announced the New Hampshire Housing Relief Fund to help Granite State residents maintain housing during the Covid-19 crisis. Homeowners and renters alike may qualify for funding to help them get and stay caught up with their housing payments. Go to www.CAPNH.org to apply today. Funding is only available through December 31, 2020. Please spread the word about this critical resource to keep families housed.

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Legislative Update

Sadly, all of the housing related bills that we were supporting during the 2020 session died as a result of the abbreviated legislative session during Covid. We are hopeful that measures like HB 1632, which would have enabled municipalities to use tax increment financing to encourage development of workforce housing, will be introduced again next year.

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Accolades for Avery Hill Solar

Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing

We are proud to announce that our project Avery Hill Solar is included as a case study in the forthcoming book Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing, published by Island Press. In this fully revised edition, co-authors Kimberly Vermeer and Walker Wells capture the rapid evolution of green building practices, using Lakes Region Community Developers’ green practices and Avery Hill Solar to make a compelling case for integrating green building in affordable housing.
 
Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing is the most comprehensive resource on how green building principles can be incorporated into affordable housing design, construction, and operation. The book offers guidance on innovative practices, green building certifications, and the latest financing strategies. As Co-author Wells states: “Our goal is to bring together in one place the essential information and strategies that affordable housing project managers, designers, funders and advocates need to know to successfully create green developments.” In addition, Vermeer and Wells feature 14 case studies to illustrate how green building principles can be incorporated into diverse housing types and in locations across the country. By featuring Avery Hill Solar, Blueprint shares detailed insights into how the many elements of a green building are incorporated into affordable house design, construction, and operation. Avery Hill Solar is a project that demonstrates that green asset management and advance planning are powerful tools. Lakes Region Community Developers reduced energy costs and increased family financial stability by implementing a solar electricity upgrade at an older existing property.
 
The lack of affordable housing and the climate crisis are two of the most pressing challenges we are facing today. Green affordable housing addresses both by providing housing stability, safety, and financial predictability while constructing and operating the buildings to reduce environmental and climate impacts. We are very pleased that we and our work at Avery Hill Solar is being featured as exemplars of good green building practices.
 
The book was released July 9th at Island Press for $35 https://islandpress.org/books/blueprint-greening-affordable-housing-revised-edition . Use offer code WELLS to get a 20% discount.

NH Public Utilities Commission Report

Avery Hill Solar was also featured in the New Hampshire Low-Moderate Income Community Solar Projects Costs and Benefits Report. The project received funding from the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the project. In June they released the report which includes the the annual costs and benefits of the project

The solar project included twelve, single inverter, 5 kW AC solar arrays installed on each of the six multifamily building roofs and interconnected to each of the twelve unit’s residential electric meters. Each system net meters generation to reduce energy consumption behind-the-meter and earn a credit for any surplus energy produced.

Based on historical billing data from a year prior, estimated annual savings per housing unit ranged between $312 and $1,236, an average of $645 annually after factoring in the rent increase of $240 per year. On average, that is a 70% savings in residents annual electricity costs.

If you'd like to read more about our Avery Hill Solar project or other solar projects in New Hampshire click here for the full report https://www.puc.nh.gov/Home/Commission-Reports/20200601-LMI-Costs-And-Benefits-Legislative-Report.pdf

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Green Tip - Tips to Conserve Water

As a NeighborWorks America Green Designated Organization, we have incorporated green practices across all our lines of business, and we strive to inspire our community to choose green practices for their homes and businesses. We hope you enjoy our monthly Green Tip.

According the the U.S. Drought Monitor  the southern half of New Hampshire is in a Moderate Drought (July 13, 2020). Here is a sample of some great water conservation tips from   www.ready.gov/drought

1. Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
2. Fix dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water a year.
3. Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
4. Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
5. Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.
6. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
7. Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.

Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought. Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.