Program - April 25, 2019

 
 
Our speaker today was Andrew Winter from Twin Pines Housing Trust.
 
Andrew Winter
 
He was accompanied by Michelle Kersey, Director of Development and Communications.
 
Michelle Kersdy
 
From Winter's PowerPoint Presentation:
  • Twin Pines was formed in 1990 through the merger of two local housing providers
  • The mission of Twin Pines Housing Trust is to strengthen the Upper Valley community by developing and improving affordable homes for individuals and families, and by supporting our tenants and owners.
  • Currently there 19 Properties offering 417 rental units.  This is an increase of 240 units since 2012. 256 in NH, 161 in VT
  • The organization supports 48 Shared-equity homeownership properties
  • Currently, there are 122 rental units in various stages of development
  • Via Twin Pines there are over 1,000 housed in the properties they own.
  • They have a staff of 19 member staff with expertise in project development, property management, and resident support services.  This is an increased from 8 in 2012
Learn more about Twin Pines at www.twinpineshousing.org
Their Supportive Services team provides essential supports to help residents stay healthy and housed
  • Coordinate case management, social services, food programs, financial coaching, and more
  • Connect residents with area agencies such as LISTEN, the Haven, HCRS, WISE, Tri-County CAP, and Headrest
  • Create new programs where there are gaps
  • 83% of residents in properties we manage utilize Supportive Services, with 58% considered high utilizers
 
Winter outlined why affordable housing is needed in the Upper Valley:
  • Housing prices are high, especially near core economic centers.
  • Both unemployment and vacancy rates are exceptionally low in the Lebanon NH-VT MicroNECTA:
    • Unemployment rate = 2.1% (Feb. 2019)
    • Vacancy rates < 2% (Nov. 2018)
  • Waiting lists for affordable units often measured in years.
  • Deficit of approximately 5,000 housing units in Upper Valley region.
  • Rent within 10 min. drive of Lebanon:
    • 1 bedroom: $400-$2020, median = $925
    • 2 bedroom: $950-$2700, median = $1650
 
He shared information about new housing units being built or renovated:
  • Tracy Community Housing, West Lebanon, NH
  • Village at Crafts Hill, West Lebanon, NH
  • Summer Park, Hanover, NH (seniors)
  • Wentworth Community Housing, White River Jct., VT
  • Parkhurst Community Housing, Lebanon (focus…homeless population)
Winter shared that in addition to low or lower income housing.  There is a need for more work force housing.  Bruce Pacht reflected that in the upper valley rental property is often seen as short term housing as compared to how rental property in densely populated cities is seen in a more permanent way. 
 
The following upcoming event was announded:
 
Spring 2019 Business Leaders Housing Breakfast
 
Please join us for the Spring Business Leaders Housing Breakfast, co-hosted by Vital Communities and Twin Pines Housing. This year’s breakfast is on Friday, May 3, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 35 N Labombard Road, Lebanon, NH. Registration and a full breakfast buffet will begin at 7:30 am, followed by presentations from 8 -9 am. A very special thank you to Mascoma Bank for sponsoring this important event!
 
Learn more about the event by clicking here.
 
Learn more about Twin Pines at www.twinpineshousing.org