Residents of Rock Rimmon Cooperative – a resident-owned manufactured housing community in the small town of Danville, New Hampshire – have welcomed their new neighbors.
On August 15, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund held an event to celebrate the first residents that are a part of their Veterans FIRST program – an initiative focused on providing sustainable, affordable homeownership opportunities for veterans. The event brought together key program partners, including the board of the Rock Rimmon Cooperative, to celebrate the new residents of the community. Congressmen Chris Pappas (D-NH) was among the day’s speakers, and attendees were able to take a tour of the newly placed 500 sq. ft. manufactured homes.
These new neighbors include Vietnam veteran Peter “Searching Owl” Giove and former Marine Lora Gervais. Peter lost his possessions, two dogs and a cat to a house fire in his previous home, and was living in temporary housing through Harbor Homes. Lora was living with her father, but struggled to find an affordable home when was only able to secure $100,000 Veterans Administration loan.
The veterans’ homes are small, one-bedroom, 500 sq. ft. manufactured homes – custom built by Skyline Homes. ENERGY STAR-rated, these homes are highly efficient, and will save their new owners thousands in monthly utility bills. Five homes have been placed in the Rock Rimmon Cooperative so far, half of the ten planned in the community.
As veterans, and millions of others or individuals and families across the county, struggle to find affordable housing, partnerships like those assembled by the Community Loan Fund – paired with innovative construction – can help give more people the chance to own their home.