Interview with Carmen Lorentz
Executive Director of Lakes Region Community Developers
The lack of affording housing has been in the headlines lately, and one Lakes Region nonprofit is tackling the problem head-on. Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD) has been working the problem for over 30 years, creating quality affordable rental housing throughout central New Hampshire. In addition to providing affordable housing, the organization works with their tenants to improve their health and overall well-being so they can build their own pathway to economic stability.
Once a family moves into LRCD housing, a Resident Services Coordinator conducts a needs assessment to connect residents to community resources to help them be healthy and thrive. They assist clients with budgeting, conflict resolution and paperwork required to maintain their housing. The organization also provides a $500 budget to each property’s Resident Council to plan projects such as community gardens and holiday events which builds a sense of community and neighborly well-being.
“Everyone needs a home to thrive”, says Executive Director Carmen Lorentz. “When basic needs are met, you become a better parent, friend or employee. You show up for places and people you care about”.
LRCD sees their mission as more critical than ever as the housing crisis has intensified in recent years. Lorentz points out that “many of their residents are single-income households with children, who struggle to make ends meet on one income”. To make matters worse, she points out that the housing crisis impacts business development when prospective employees can’t find housing.
There is a waiting list at most of LRCD properties. The State of New Hampshire does not invest a lot in affordable housing so the organization is reliant on federal funding. Even though LRCD residents pay lower than average rent, Lorentz says many of their families are “rent burdened” and spend 40% of their income on rent. That’s where federal HUD vouchers could help, she says, but the funding for vouchers is limited and the waiting list is long.
LRCD’s service area includes 31 towns in four counties. It’s a difficult environment as town governments aren’t always supportive of multi-family housing even though most local residents understand the lack of affordable housing hurts their community’s businesses. Lorentz says “there seems to be an inverse relationship between awareness of the problem and a willingness to do something about it”.
LRCD is also a proud member of HOMEteam, which provides first-time home-buyer education and financial counseling to hundreds of New Hampshire families every year. It’s another way the organization works to match families with a home of their own.
The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction has been financially supporting Community Developers for more than a decade. Lorentz says the community is fortunate to have the Children’s Auction which supports so many worthy nonprofits. She says she’s never seen an organization like it in other places she has lived.
Article written by Beth Osgood Dodge. If you are a Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction funded nonprofit contact Beth at beth03253@gmail.com to arrange an interview and let us spread awareness for your mission!
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