Construction to Begin
Spring 2005
Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has closed on a piece of land for its next building project. The property is located at 51 Whitney Street (on the corner with Tolles Street) in the French Hill neighborhood of Nashua. Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua sold us the 50′ by 80′ lot in December. The $35,000 piece of land is currently a vacant, paved lot. We expect to start construction on the lot sometime next summer. Meanwhile, the application period is now open for families who want to live in the new home. The application period closes on February 11, 2005, so applications should be submitted soon. Learn more about applying for a house.
This latest land acquisition is one more step in the revitalization effort of the French Hill neighborhood, an area of Nashua with a checkered past but a promising future. Because of drug dealings and a double homicide, the federal government seized several neighborhood buildings in the 1980s. The French Hill Neighborhood Association eventually sold us the lot on which three condemned buildings sat. Those buildings were later demolished. It was on the lot of those condemned buildings that the Greater Nashua affiliate built its first home, a duplex on Tolles Street. Two families began living there in 1999.
Despite our recent land acquisition, finding suitable property on which we can build houses continues to be our greatest challenge. Donating land is one of the best ways you can help us to accomplish our goal of providing simple, affordable housing for low-income families. With that in mind, here are answers to questions that we are often asked:
What type of property are we seeking? The most affordable property to build on is a lot on a public road with direct access to utilities. However, we are willing to explore many possibilities. This includes a multiple lot piece of property that would provide land to build a number of houses over several years.
I have a small piece of land, but it may not be suitable for building. Due to the severe shortage of affordable housing, most municipalities are willing to work with us on variances that would not be available for standard development.
What if the property already has a building on it? If the building is in good structural shape, we may be able to rehabilitate it. If the building is not suitable for rehabilitation, we can often get funds through grants for the demolition and clearing of the property.
Why should I donate my land to Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity? The most fundamental reason is the feeling of contribution you get from helping less fortunate families build a stable life as homeowners in the community. There are also significant tax benefits from donating the land. Talk to us to discuss various benefits. I want to help, but I need to get some money from the property. Talk to us. If you are willing to sell the property at a price substantially below market prices, you will still be eligible for tax advantages, and we may be able to reach a price that allows us to achieve our home pricing targets.
Whether you own property or know of some that might be available to us, please talk to us. We will investigate all possibilities. We can evaluate the suitability of the site, and we can research the current ownership, if that is unknown. The property does not need to belong to an individual; churches and businesses may have excess property that they would be willing to donate.
