2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winner: Concord Coalition to End Homelessness

The N.H. Preservation Alliance is pleased to announce our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award winner, the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, for the rehabilitation and re-use of 10 Green Street in Concord, with support from Warrenstreet Architects, Inc., JH Spain Commercial Services, LLC, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, Concord Rotary Club, The Dobles Foundation, Resilient Buildings Group, Inc., Merrimack County, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Concord Food Co-op, Franklin Savings Bank, Keeler Family Realtors, Cleveland Waters & Bass, P.A., McLean Middleton, P.A., Concord Commercial Real Estate, Fairway Real Estate, LLC, and Concord Housing + Redevelopment.

The award recognizes and thanks the non-profit Coalition, their design/construction team and many community partners for an admirable re-use project that provides homes to formerly homeless people. As the nominator noted, the results show how enhancing the character and features of a notable property not only adds significant value to the community but to the lives of some of its most vulnerable residents.

10 Green Street in Concord, NH. Photo credit: Concord Coalition to End Homelessness

This historic, 2,500 square-foot, 2-story Victorian home built in 1880 had most recently been used for County office space, but the rooms were dated, the building run down, and a full rehab was in order.

The building was converted into four one-bedroom residential apartment units, one of which is accessible.  Work included restoring the front porches, replacement of windows that were sympathetic to the originals, and overall retention of the Italianate detailing that is inherent to this significant resource. The exterior clapboard and "gingerbread" trim were prepped and repainted in period-appropriate colors.

Inside, to the highest degree possible, original window positions were retained, and doors, trim work, marble fireplace surrounds, built in cabinetry and grand staircase were preserved.

Four local businesses each "adopted" an apartment and supplied all the furnishings, decorations, dishes, and other supplies, right down to soaps in the bathroom.

This was the first housing the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness has purchased, part of their "Housing First" initiative, based on a nationwide model for ending chronic homelessness. It is centered on the belief that everyone can achieve stability in permanent housing, and that stable housing is the foundation for achieving other health or social service goals.

We hope this project can inspire many more efforts like it.

Read about the rest of our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winners here.