Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition

Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition, Inc. (ELRHC) grew from a Wolfeboro Planning Board ad hoc committee that was gathered in 2004. Its purpose was to develop a strategy to address a critical shortage of workforce housing as identified for 25 years of Master Plans. The plan developed by this ad hoc committee received the unanimous approval of Wolfeboro’s Planning Board and Board of Selectmen.

The Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition board, formed representing major employers and different towns, was incorporated in May of 2005 and received its 501(c)(3) shortly after. Its mission is to encourage a diversity of housing to support the economic and social health of our communities while respecting the rural and village values.

Harriman Hill Neighborhood:

In 2005, ELRHC identified a parcel of “in village” land that met Wolfeboro’s Master Plan goals of village in-fill: access to public utilities, and proximity to services and employment. ELRHC purchased the land for a three-phase affordable housing project, the Harriman Hill development.

Harriman Hill is a conservation cluster, workforce housing neighborhood located on 35+ acres of back land off Pine Hill Road (Route 109A). Harriman Hill includes a total of 78 housing units when fully built out. More than half of the land is placed in Conservation Easement with the town of Wolfeboro Conservation Commission.

Harriman Hill Phases I and II: The first two phases of Harriman Hill consist of 48 rental units in 12, four-unit buildings. The rental units were constructed through a federal tax credit program (LIHTC) purchased by a Limited Partnership that includes the Laconia Area Community Land Trust as senior General Partner.

Harriman Hill Phase III: Phase III at Harriman Hill, currently under construction, will create 30 additional rental units which will help meet the need of affordable rentals in the area. ELRHC continues to partner with Lakes Region Community Developers to bring affordable housing to the areas served by both nonprofit organizations.

For more than two decades, the Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition (ELRHC) of Wolfeboro NH, has been dedicated to expanding access to safe, affordable housing for individuals and families in our community. Today, that need is greater than ever. Rising rents, limited inventory, and increasing household expenses make it difficult for many of our neighbors to find stability, especially those working hard to build a better future for their families.