Our Place, a nonprofit working to provide independent housing options to adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, has been approved to construct nine housing units at 105 Durham Road.
Five units are planned to be constructed in an existing building that was previously a daycare center, with an addition to the back of the building to build four apartments. The project, approved by the Dover Planning Board on Oct. 8, has taken big strides since the 501(c)(3) nonprofit was started in 2019 by parents who were searching for housing for their adult children with intellectual developmental disabilities.
Inspired by Visions for Creative Housing Solutions in Enfield, supportive housing where people with disabilities can live amongst their peers, Our Place has worked to bring the same model to the Seacoast. The goal is to create a sustainable model of housing, after the parents found there was no plan of action for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities in New Hampshire living with their parents.
Since then, Our Place has raised more than $600,000 toward making Our Place a reality, said Laurie McIntosh, founder and chair of the board of directors.
In 2023, Our Place held the highest spot in donations from the 24-hour online fundraiser NH Gives, with $59,386 in donations, and matching funds totaling $89,151 to the nonprofit.
Our Place is also one of many nonprofits that benefit from a share of proceeds from The Brook casino in Seabrook, where tens of thousands of dollars have been raised, including from an annual comedy show.
As Our Place looks ahead to the development of the home in Dover; McIntosh said fundraising efforts will be essential. The Strafford Economic Development Corporation supported the property purchase with an initial loan.
Recently, contractors have presented proposals to Our Place, with some quotes totaling approximately $2.5 million, said McIntosh. If Our Place is awarded grants it has applied for, including a congressionally directed spending grant, the project could potentially break ground in the spring. If the grants don’t come through, McIntosh said, it could likely take a long time to fundraise $2.5 million for construction to move forward.
Our Place is planned to be home for 11 adults with a pair of two-bedroom apartments, with the rest one-bedroom units.
There will be a space for a site resident, a rotating position providing 24/7 support as needed. Support offered could be assistance in getting ready for work, or if someone is sick.
The housing will feature a living and dining room, along with a common kitchen.
Additionally, staff will ensure transportation is available to jobs and recreational activities. The goal is to “provide each individual with surroundings that are conducive to long-term friendships and a sense of well-being and self-worth,” Our Place states.
Those qualified to live at Our Place are individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities who qualify for Medicaid and or Social Security. The adults to live in the home have not been chosen yet, McIntosh said, but more than 80 local families have expressed interest.
“The services will allow them to live as independently as possible,” said McIntosh. “We are hoping to provide a forever home for them.”
Donations are accepted on ourplacenh.org through the “donate” tab. Call 603-617-6900 or email info@ourplacenh.org to learn more.
Previous reporting by Karen Dandurant was used in this report.
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