We are proud to support the Friends Program with the purchase of $30,000 in tax credits through the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Support provides aid and relief for families experiencing homelessness within the Greater Concord, NH community. Funds contribute to the organization’s Home Stretch campaign, a three-part shelter expansion, and a renovation project that will increase capacity for more families in need of emergency shelter.
The Home Stretch campaign will allow the Friends Program to serve more families in an environment designed to support their goal of finding and sustaining long‑term housing. The campaign will provide trauma-informed spaces intended to ease, comfort, and decrease the emotional stress families experience transitioning into a shelter. It will offer a temporary living situation that compliments the support already provided by Friends Program services. The closer to “home” a temporary room feels, the easier it is for families, especially children, to settle in and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. A trauma-informed approach to case management promotes personal growth and independent decision-making.
“We are very grateful to our friends at The Merrimack for believing in this project and for supporting us as we make our emergency shelter as comforting as possible for families in distressing, crisis situations,” said Nancy Paul, Executive Director of the Friends Program. “Friends’ Emergency Housing Program understands that homelessness is a traumatic experience and individuals often come to us having also experienced physical, mental or emotional abuse. We can’t thank The Merrimack enough for contributing to the Home Stretch campaign.”
“We understand that people trying to seek refuge from crisis need as much support and understanding as possible,” said Linda Lorden, President of Merrimack County Savings Bank. “Friends’ Emergency Housing Program is looking to create an environment that promotes healing, as well as a sense of control, privacy, and confidentiality. We applaud the incredible work of the Friends Program and feel very grateful to be able to contribute in any small way we can to such a significant undertaking.”
The Friends Program recruits, trains, and manages volunteers to meet community needs in Greater Concord and surrounding towns. Their mission of strengthening communities by building relationships that empower people, encourage service and restore faith in the human spirit is achieved through their four distinct programs for Emergency Housing, Fostering Grandparents, Senior Volunteerism, and Youth Mentoring. For more information, visit friendsprogram.org.
CDFA tax credits allow businesses to fund qualifying economic or community development projects in exchange for a tax credit that can be applied against state business tax payments. The tax credits are administered by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Any business with operations in NH that contributes to a CDFA tax credit project receives an NH state tax credit worth 75% of their contribution. The credit can be used over a period of five years to reduce the business’ state tax liability (business profits, business enterprise, or insurance premium taxes). The tax credit program allows NH businesses to use their state tax dollars to support local projects that they care about. CDFA reviews many project applications each year, and awards tax credits to those they determine are feasible and will make the biggest impact on economic development in the state. For more information, visit nhcdfa.org.