Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) toured the Goddard Block Apartments and met with New England Family Housing staff to hear updates on their work to renovate and fully open the facility. Rep. Kuster attended Goddard Block Apartments’ groundbreaking ceremony in 2019 and has made supporting the expansion of affordable housing one of her top priorities through her work in Congress.

“When I talk to Granite Staters from the Southern Tier to the North Country, I am consistently hearing from folks about the lack of affordable housing in our communities,” said Rep. Kuster. “The Goddard Block Apartments in Claremont are a great example of the types of projects that can make a real difference in New Hampshire communities. Addressing the housing shortage is crucial to solving the workforce crisis and bolstering our economy. I look forward to supporting collaborative projects – like Goddard Block – throughout the state to help address the serious need for housing.”

“NH is in a housing crisis as evident within our own portfolio throughout the state with near zero vacancy and ever-increasing demands,” said Kevin Lacasse, CEO of New England Family Housing. “The only means of solving this issue is by the development of ALL types of housing in order to bring the supply and demand ratio back to stabilized levels. This can only occur with the support of government at the local, state and federal levels.” 

The Goddard Block apartments were condemned by the city in the spring of 2018 due to several safety and building code issues, forcing residents to vacate the 24 apartments on the second and third floors. New England Family Housing purchased the building and renovated it into 36 studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as retail and commercial space on the ground floor of Pleasant Street.

Congresswoman Kuster cosponsored the bipartisan LIFELINE Act and was instrumental in getting the Treasury Department to unlock an additional $8 billion for affordable housing from the American Rescue Plan Act’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Rep. Kuster recently voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which has now been signed into law and takes historic action to lower costs for Granite Staters. This week, she will be holding conversations throughout the Second Congressional District about expanding the availability of housing that is affordable and accessible.

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