Who’s Working on Housing?
A Preliminary Inventory.
It’s Going to Take Teamwork
“Housing” is a huge, multi-dimensional issue. The housing arena includes many related but distinct challenges, from emergency shelter to market-rate affordable housing. No one group or individual is going to solve all of Monadnock Region’s housing challenges singlehandedly. It’s going to take the efforts of many different groups working in tandem with one another to create the housing options our region needs. A good first step towards improved coordination among groups and organization working on housing–or thinking about becoming more engaged on the issue–is simply to take stock of who those groups are and to list them out in one place. The preliminary inventory below attempts to do that. Taking an inventory is also useful for identifying which issues are already receiving attention and where gaps in advocacy exist. The list categorizes organizations into general groups, but it’s important to note that not all of the included organizations fit neatly under one particular header. If you’re aware of additional groups active on housing issues, please contact Todd Horner at thorner@swrpc.org.
Monadnock Region Groups & Initiatives
Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing
Shelter from the Storm. A local program in Jaffrey, NH providing transitional housing and support services for those who have become homeless due to a variety of circumstances.
Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter. The Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter offers safe, comfortable housing for families, couples and individuals as they move from homelessness to home.
Eastern Monadnock Housing Security Coalition. An newly formed group in the eastern area of the Monadnock Region aimed at preventing housing insecurity.
Hundred Nights. The mission of Hundred Nights, Inc. is to provide shelter and crisis related services to the displaced or homeless.
Greater Keene Homeless Coalition. The mission of the Greater Keene Homeless Coalition is to bring together a partnership of consumers, providers and concerned citizens working collaboratively to identify, address and find solutions toward ending the cycle of homelessness in the Greater Keene area.
Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention (MCVP). The mission of MCVP is to (1) respond to domestic and sexual violence and stalking in our community by providing a care and support system for survivors and (2) to work to end interpersonal violence in all forms through primary prevention, community engagement and collaboration. MCVP offers emergency shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Phoenix House New England. Dedicated substance use and behavioral health services, offering in-patient and residential care in locations across New England, including Keene and Dublin, NH.
Income-Eligible Housing and Related Services
Keene Housing. Provides affordable housing to over 1,000 families, elders and individuals with disabilities through a combination of federally funded Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs and Keene Housing’s high-quality affordable housing portfolio.
- Southwestern Community Services (SCS). Non-profit housing provider, developer, manager and advocate. In addition, SCS provides emergency shelter and housing stabilization services, rental assistance, heating and utility assistance, and other housing-related programs. SCS is the Community Action Agency serving Cheshire and Sullivan Counties.
- Southern NH Services (SNHS). With a service area encompassing Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, SNHS offers a range of housing-related services, including: supportive housing, homelessness prevention, senior housing, home heating fuel and utilities assistance, among other programs. Like SCS, SNHS is a Community Action Agency.
Contoocook Housing Trust. Provides affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate income families. The Trust’s current portfolio includes thirteen properties in Peterborough, Bennington, Antrim, and Hillsborough.
Cheshire Housing Trust. Cheshire Housing Trust is a non-profit community land trust whose mission is to provide affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families with modest incomes. The Trust manages ten properties in Keene, Marlborough, and Hinsdale.
Regional Planning and Local Government
Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC). Provides technical assistance to Monadnock Region municipalities on a number of planning issues, including housing. SWRPC maintains the region’s housing needs assessment, which was last updated in 2014. The next edition of the assessment is expected to occur sometime in 2021-2022.
Town of Jaffrey. During 2021 Town Meeting, Jaffrey residents approved several changes to local land use regulations, including one that would provide developers with a density bonus for creating workforce housing in certain districts.
Town of Peterborough. The Town’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) is currently exploring through its housing committee whether the EDA could/should play a role facilitating local housing development.
Town of Chesterfield. The Town has been in conversation with Southwestern Community Services about potentially partnering on the development of senior housing.
Town of Temple. The Temple Land Use Committee is studying the disposition and potential uses of town-owned land. Some parcels have been identified as potential sites for housing development.
City of Keene. The City is looking to partner with Southwestern Community Services to launch an initiative called “21 in 21,” which will focus on preserving and rehabilitating homes close to downtown Keene. These neighborhoods including a variety of housing stock, much of which would qualify as workforce housing under NH statute. The City is also overhauling its local land use regulations, creating a unified Land Development Code.
Business and Professional Groups
Greater Keene and Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (GKPCC). Recognizing how a lack of housing opportunity can affect local businesses and the regional economy, GKPCC has highlighted regional housing challenge through public events such as its Regional Issues Series.
Monadnock Region Board of Realtors. The purpose of the Monadnock Region Board of Realtors is “to provide tools, services and support required by REALTORS in order for them to deliver professional and ethical service to the real estate public.” The Board has a community outreach committee as well as one dedicated to public policy.
Community Groups and Organizations
- Monadnock United Way. Regional non-profit works to “unite people from all sectors of the Monadnock Region to solve problems in our community.” In 2020, “Emergency housing and access to food” was a focus area for Monadnock United Way investment.
Monadnock Interfaith Project (MIP). MIP is a lay-led group of volunteers exploring the possibilities of faith-based community organizing. The group is currently exploring how it might contribute to housing-related efforts, with a likely focus on housing for economically disadvantaged households.
Monadnock Habitat for Humanity. Monadnock Habitat for Humanity builds houses in the Monadnock Region and beyond to provide decent, safe, and affordable homes for our neighbors living in inadequate housing. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working to make a difference in our community … one home at a time!
Statewide Groups & Initiatives
- NH Housing Finance Authority (NHFFA). New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority is a self-supporting public corporation that promotes, finances and supports affordable housing. NHHFA operates rental and homeownership programs designed to assist low- and moderate-income persons with obtaining affordable housing.
Housing Action NH. Housing Action NH is a coalition of organizations united around a common vision that everyone benefits when all Granite Staters have an affordable place to call home. The coalition focuses on how state-level legislation can effect housing opportunity across NH.
NH Community Loan Fund. The NH Community Loan serves as a catalyst, leveraging financial, human, and civic resources to enable traditionally underserved people to participate more fully in New Hampshire’s economy. In the housing arena, the Community Loan Funds helps finance housing development projects, including affordable housing, senior housing, and supportive housing. They also focus on manufactured housing and resident owned communities. Check out their impact map to see where they’ve contributed resources in the Monadnock Region.
NH Association of Realtors. Professional association for NH realtors. The Association includes a Public Policy Committee, which weighs in on state legislative issues.
NH Planners Association. Organizes educational events on planning-related issues. Also monitors state legislative activity.
NH Rights & Democracy. Political advocacy group whose work touches upon affordable housing issues.
NH Business and Industry Association (BIA). Serving as NH’s statwide chamber of commerce, BIA takes positions on a number of public policy issues, including housing: “BIA supports efforts that increase the availability and affordability of housing for working people.”
NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Administers the State of New Hampshire’s annual federal allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for eligible municipalities. The primary objective of the program is the development of viable communities by improving economic opportunities and meeting community revitalization needs, particularly for persons of low and moderate income. Housing for low and moderate-income households is a focus area of the CDBG program. CDFA also oversees a competitive tax credit program, which could offer another potential funding source for housing projects.