SHAHEEN, SHEA-PORTER ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $130,000 FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LACONIA

(Washington, D.C.)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Carol Shea-Porter today announced that NeighborWorks America has awarded ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Laconia Area Community Land Trust $­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­130,884.35 to rehabilitate and repair nine of their building properties containing 28 permanently affordable rental units in Laconia. 

Shaheen and Shea-Porter released a joint statement praising the funding: "By supporting affordable housing in Laconia and across the state, we can help keep our communities healthy for all New Hampshire families.  Countless Americans have struggled and sacrificed during these difficult economic times, but no family should have to choose between the roof over their head and putting food on the table or paying a child's medical bill."

Fifty-three percent of the funding will go toward increasing the energy efficiency of the rental units, including by replacing old and inefficient boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters with new energy efficient models.  Laconia Area Community Land Trust will also replace old kitchen appliances with EnergyStar rated appliances, and upgrade old wooden windows with vinyl replacement windows. 

These capital improvements will extend the life of these affordable housing properties and lower energy bills for the families that live there.  Weatherization saves families an average of $437 in heating and cooling costs every year at current prices, and reduces energy consumption for the average family by 35 percent. 

"We are extremely grateful to be awarded these grant funds," said Nancy McCurry, Deputy Director of the Laconia Area Community Land Trust.  "The funds will make a significant, positive impact on these properties and will help us to address our capital repair and replacements on schedule and maintain our properties in good physical repair.  Grant funds will help to extend the useful life of these community assets which will remain permanently affordable for low to moderate income tenants."

NeighborWorks America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts.  Working through a national network of more than 230 community-based partner organizations, including Laconia Area Community Land Trust, it works to create and preserve affordable housing opportunities at the local level.