Senator and presidential candidate Michael Bennet (D-CO) toured a homeless shelter and food pantry, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter (NSKS), in Nashua, NH, last week. Hosted by Our Homes, Our Votes, Our New Hampshire, Senator Bennett conversed with NSKS staff and volunteers and toured a vacant school across the street that will soon be converted to permanent supportive housing and enhanced shelter services.
“Federal resources like the national Housing Trust Fund, the Historic Tax Credit and the Community Development Block Grant make these improvements possible,” shared Michael Reinke, the NSKS executive director.
Elissa Margolin, director of Housing Action NH, shared the most recent data regarding the New Hampshire affordability crisis with Senator Bennett at the event. “With a less than 1% vacancy rate in the rental market, costs are skyrocketing,” she noted. “It’s tough on everyone, particularly on New Hampshire’s lowest-income residents.”
Michael Bennet’s recently released housing plan calls for increased investments in the national Housing Trust Fund as well as a competitive grant program to reduce barriers to the development of affordable housing in high-opportunity areas.