State officials and housing advocates shared success stories and the challenges the state faces to meet the need for more “attainable” affordable housing for veterans during a roundtable Thursday.
Success and challenges shared at vets housing roundtable
Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester and center, hosted a roundtable on how to build more housing for veterans. Joining him on the dais were from left Rob Dapice, executive director of New Hampshire Housing, Brent Fisher with the state Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, and Allen Aldenberg, the chief military and veterans’ officer with Easterseals.
Rob Dapice, executive director and chief executive officer with New Hampshire Housing, said 60% of veterans make less than $100,000, 30% make less than $50,000 and 5% are below the federal poverty level.
Meanwhile, anyone wanting to buy a median-priced home at $560,000 in the state needs to earn $173,500 a year.
“The need is dramatic to create more housing opportunities for veterans,” said Dapice at the event hosted by Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College.
N.H. Housing saw the barriers firsthand in supporting the conversion of a single-family home in downtown Kingston into six units for veterans with shared common space, Dapice said.
“This could go into every small town in New Hampshire,” Dapice said. “The developers went through a ringer to make that property a reality. Why was it so hard and why did it have to be so hard?”
Stephen said creating a single place for all veterans to start seeking housing help would be a good start.
“There are a lot of good things happening, but we can and need to do more to make housing attainable for those who have sacrificed so much for us,” Stephen said. “Having a single access point would help.”
Mike Lopez, a former alderman and past president of the Manchester Veterans Council, said he’s worked with veterans who haven’t gotten enough follow up.
“There is a problem someplace. I have had veterans who contacted 211 (help line) and they don’t even take the individual’s name down,” Lopez said.
Eric Anthony, the acting commandant of the Marine Corps League had his own anecdote.
“I have spoken with a Navy submariner living on retirement and is close to falling behind on their rent. Who do I have him call?” Anthony asked.
Vets campus looks to be a national model
Brent Fraser, director of the Division of Community Based Programs for the New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, volunteered his agency often is the answer.
“There are a lot of resources out there but how do we get the word out so that veterans get the help they need in navigating through the system to get services?” Fraser asked.
Fraser said on any given day in New Hampshire about 150 veterans are homeless.
“Most veterans in the state are doing well, but there are still some who require a little help,” Fraser said.
The Military and Veterans Campus under construction in Franklin by Easterseals is the biggest new opportunity for veterans to get more housing.
Former Gov. Chris Sununu made the project a reality during his last year in office.
“What we are doing here is to bring everything together in one location that will be a model for the country,” said Allen Aldenberg, the nonprofit’s chief military and veterans’ officer.
The facility will include 29 apartments that have already been reserved, a retreat center with 22 hotel-style units, a conference center, recreation and equine center, and aquatic and fitness center.
“We’ve got veterans from 30 years old to 81, the stories would warm your heart,” said Aldenberg, the former Manchester police chief.
Other highlighted projects include the conversion of the former Manchester Police station to a 30-unit complex for veterans and Boulder Point in Plymouth, which offers 25 one-bedroom apartments for homeless veterans.
Dapice also spoke of an income-eligibility based housing voucher program for veterans that New Hampshire Housing has deployed. It has served 215 veterans and has another 51 pending commitments.
Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, a Marine Corps combat veteran, said understanding the unique needs of former soldiers is critical.
“Veterans are different. Their life experiences are different. It’s important those providing services understand a little more about the veteran culture and the military culture,” Kenney said.