. Community Development
City of Nash ua Planning and Zoning
. soa Building Safety
Community Development Division Code Enforcement
City Hall, 229 Main Street, PO Box 2019 Cee ogra mission
Nashua, New Hampshire 03061-20719 Transportation
www.nashuanh.gov FAX
589-3095
589-3090
589-3080
589-3100
589-3085
589-3105
880-0100
589-3119
Date: September 30, 2020
To: Ald. Lori Wilshire, Board of Aldermen President
Jim Donchess, Mayor
cc: Board of Aldermen
From: Sarah Marchant, Community Development Director
Re: Bronstein Housing Relocation Update
The Economic Development and Community Development Divisions have partnered with RKG
Associates Inc to complete a comprehensive Housing Study which will be presented to the Board of
Aldermen in October. The goal of this study is to assess the current and projected need for housing in
Nashua and to develop strategies for implementation. The study will provide a statistical basis on which
the Board can make informed policy decisions to support and improve housing for all Nashua residents.
We know that the housing vacancy rate has remained at an unhealthy level for years. In addition, rents
and the cost of for sale housing have risen substantially, but there has also been good news. The City has
added a substantial number of affordable and market rate rental units to the downtown in the past six
years, with over 170 new affordable units approved for develapment in 2021. We also know that the
downtown census tract has the lowest household income of any census tract in the state. These new
affordable units will be balanced with the approval of market rate units on School Street. In looking at
improving housing in the City it is important that there is a balance of market rate and affordable units
to reduce the concentration of poverty in our downtown and provide for a mix of housing units across
the City. This study will provide us with the tools to do better.
At the Special Board of Aldermen meeting on September 28" several questions were asked regarding
the relocation of residents at the existing Bronstein apartment complex as part of the Nashua Housing
and Redevelopment Authority’s (NHRA} redevelopment project. Lynn Lombardi, Executive Director of
the NHRA provided the following information related to the relocation plan:
NHRA is awaiting both a HUD Section 18 Demo/Disposition application approval,
and NHHFA tax credit applications approval. if approvals occur sometime in
December, NHRA will inform residents of its timeline for relocation to prepare
them for this. NHRA takes this matter very seriously, and will ensure all families
are provided with safe, decent and affordable housing during the relocation
process.
Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) [NHRA‘s Relocation Consultant] was
formed in 1982, and has relocated over 16,000 households living in affordable
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