Message 2 0 2 4 A N N U A L R E P O R T
OUR MISSIONAHEAD creates pathways to safe, affordable housing whichstrengthens and revitalizes rural communities.S u s a n R e t zP r e s i d e n t ,R e t i r e d A r c h i t e c tM a r k H e s l e r V i c e P r e s i d e n t , R e t i r e dB u s i n e s s O w n e rM a r t h a M c L e o d I n t e r i m T r e a s u r e r , N o n p r o f i tC o n s u l t a n tF r a n D a y S e c r e t a r y ,A d m i n i s t r a t i v e A s s i s t a n t ,T o w n o f L a n d a f f A d a m H a m m i l l E n t r e p r e n e u r , D e p a r t m e n t o fC o r r e c t i o n sB r i d g e t F r e u d e n b e r g e r V i c e P r e s i d e n t ,B a n g o r S a v i n g s B a n kOUR BOARDJ o n a t h a n V e r g e P r a c t i c e M a n a g e r , L i t t l e t o nR e g i o n a l H o s p i t a lA n n D o w V i c e P r e s i d e n t , W o o d s v i l l e G u a r a n t y S a v i n g sB a n kA n g e l a C l e v e l a n d P l a n n i n g a n d E c o n o m i cD e v e l o p m e n t C o o r d i n a t o r ,N o r t h C o u n t r y C o u n c i lE r i k B e c k e rH o u s i n g S t a b i l i t y P r o g r a mD i r e c t o r , T r i - C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y A c t i o nP r o g r a mOUR VISIONAHEAD envisions healthy communities where residents choose tolive, work, invest and grow.We envision a future in which everyone’s home is:Considered, the result of education and sound financialdecision-makingPermanent, lasting sustainably for generationsSafe, promoting health through proper construction andmaintenanceValuable, building equity and increasing prosperityCelebrated, enhancing one’s quality of life andstrengthening communities.
A L E T T E R F R O M O U R E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R2024 marked a pivotal year for AHEAD. We made significant strides in expanding our impact across northern NewHampshire—securing funding for two major development projects in Whitefield and Gorham, launching two new downpayment assistance programs covering Coös and Grafton Counties, and initiating a comprehensive plan for therehabilitation of several of our properties. These milestones reflect AHEAD’s commitment to broadening our approachto the housing crisis and deepening our role in community stabilization efforts. In downtown Whitefield, AHEAD was awarded Northern Border Regional Commission funding to support therehabilitation of 12 King Square—transforming it into four affordable apartments and a revitalized commercialstorefront. With additional funding from the Community Development Block Grant and InvestNH, this project is fullyfunded and on track to begin in 2025. We’re also proud to support our partners at the Gorham Community LearningCenter, who secured similar funding to advance their own development project in the coming year. While increasing the supply of affordable rental housing remains central to our mission, AHEAD also recognizes theimportance of supporting homeownership. In response to skyrocketing housing prices, we launched the Pathways toHomeownership Down Payment Assistance Fund in 2024—thanks to a partnership with the Neil and Louise TillotsonFund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and Grafton County. This program offers 5% down paymentassistance to qualifying homebuyers earning up to 120% of the area median income in Coös and Grafton Counties,helping working families access homeownership opportunities in our region. As stewards of affordable housing, we are equally committed to preserving and enhancing our existing properties. In2024, AHEAD conducted a detailed assessment of our portfolio to identify priority sites for rehabilitation. We beganthis work at Northern Lights in Berlin and secured funding for critical upgrades at Monadnock Village Apartments inColebrook. Looking ahead to 2025, we have identified additional properties for improvements to ensure they remainsafe, sustainable, and vibrant homes for our residents. 2024 laid the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting year ahead. We are deeply grateful to our partners,community members, and supporters who make this work possible—and we look forward to sharing the continuedprogress of our mission with you in 2025. Sincerely,Harrison KanzlerExecutive Director2
In 2024, AHEAD hosted a “Draw Your Dream Home”contest for children ages 12 and under. Prizes wereawarded to the top drawing in each age category. Theseincredible pieces of art will be displayed in the hallwaysof our offices as well as featured within future AHEADmarketing materials. As you flip through our AnnualReport, please take a moment to enjoy the originalartwork crafted by children throughout New Hampshire. Dreaming of Homeownership3Artist- June Carson, age 6
4Artist- Frannie Cole, Age 8Artist- Faith Cole, Age 10
PATHWAYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP5P a t h w a y s t o H o m e o w n e r s h i pIn May 2024, in partnership with the Neil & Louise TillotsonFund of The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, AHEADlaunched the Pathways to Homeownership program. Thisprogram provides access to down payment assistance tohomebuyers who are buying in Coös County, Bethlehem orLittleton, NH, and are also employed in a North Countrycommunity. This unique program helps homebuyers earning120% AMI or less, bridge the gap to homeownership. Byreceiving 1:1 HUD-housing counseling from AHEAD’s certifiedstaff, homebuyers are not only able to make it to the closingtable, but are a more educated and prepared homebuyers.The program launch was a tremendous success and resultedin 13 home purchases. EstheticianDeveloper ofApprenticeshipsHousekeeper Steel workerFirefighterTeacherPre-schoolteacherLibrarianSchoolPrincipalRecipients of Pathways to Homeownership work in a variety of fields.Tree ServicesCommunityCollege AdminCareerCounselorMental HealthSales ClerkTownAdministratorN o t a b l e E v e n t # 3AVERAGE HOME PRICE$221,045AVERAGE GRANTAMOUNT$10,725.33
FHA53.8%Conventional30.8%USDA15.4%LOAN TYPESLENDING PARTNERSTo date, 5 unique lender partners have participated in theprogram. MASCOMABANKNORTHWAYBANKFAIRWAYMORTGAGENEIGHBORSBANKUNIONBANKPATHWAYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIPTOWNSPURCHASED INTOTAL HOMES SALESBerlinGorhamNorthumberlandRandolphLancasterLittletonBethlehemMilan$2,873,585In late 2024, AHEAD made a proposal to theGrafton County Commissioners the use ofremaining ARPA funds to replicate thePathways to Homeownership program forGrafton County homebuyers employed withinthe county. This additional program is namedPathways to Homeownership II. We arelooking forward to 2025 and helpinghomebuyers throughout Grafton County maketheir homeownership dreams a reality. 6
HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUNDC o n c l u s i o n o f N HH o m e o w n e r s A s s i s t a n c e F u n d2024 marked the conclusion of the NHHomeowners Assistance Fund. Since the beginningof the program AHEAD provided applicationassistance, program support and HUD-HousingCounseling to struggling homeowners throughoutNew Hampshire. 7Artist- Tinsley Higgins, age 9From 2020-2024 AHEAD provided loss-mitigation counseling and education to 968New Hampshire households, throughout everycounty in New Hampshire. Despite the endingof the New Hampshire HomeownersAssistance Fund in 2024, the demand forforeclosure counseling throughout NewHampshire continues. AHEAD remainscommitted to providing 1:1 comprehensiveand compassionate counseling to strugglinghomeowners, because we know that stablehomeownership impacts our schools,communities and state. AHEAD Homeownership Advisor, Mari DeBloisprovides 1:1 foreclosure counseling at in-personapplication event in Nashua, NH.
S p r e a d i n g W a r m t h a n d C h e e r w i t h G a r n e t H i l lIn 2024, Garnet Hill, an online and catalog retailerheadquartered in Franconia, NH contacted AHEAD to donateapproximately 100 winter coats. AHEAD’s PropertyManagement staff and Resident Services Coordinatorsworked to match residents with coats. These weredistributed to senior and disabled properties throughoutAHEAD’s portfolio. There generosity allowed AHEAD todonate the extra coats to local nonprofits: Boys and GirlsClub and Senior Center.Seen here, AHEAD Resident ServiceCoordinator, Michelle Luce sorts thegenerous coat donation from Garnet Hill. 8RESIDENT SERVICES
Dear AHEAD, It is with great sadness that I am giving my 30 day notice and ending my lease agreement forCountry Lane, Littleton, NH. It has been a wonderful place to live and I will miss it. I have accepted a job inLyndon, VT and will be moving to that area. I wanted to thank you for being a great landlord and offering all of the financial classes I have taken tohelp me to get to this point. I enjoyed being on the Board and learning the behind the scenes of AHEAD.Thank you!!Sincerely, Melissa K. Testamonials9
NeighborWorks Week Volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Northern Lights in Berlin, NH. From left to right; MandyBernd, Christine Crespo, Josh Robinson, Diane Labbe, and Lance Tucker.NEIGHBORWORKS WEEKAHEAD staff, board members and community membersthroughout Coös & Grafton counties rolled up their sleeves andvolunteered at 5 of AHEAD’s properties during NationalNeighborWorks Week, June 3rd- June 7th. Projects included basicspring clean-up, landscaping and improvement projectsthroughout AHEAD's rental portfolio. Over $7,500 worth of laborand improvements were provided by all our volunteers. Thank youfor your service! 310Volunteers Megan Nile and Amy Lurveypaint picnic tables at Woodsville OperaBlock. Volunteers Lance Tucker and Josh Robinson scrape and paint patiochairs at Northern Lights in Berlin, NH.
HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER IMPACTS114$10,471,501 37Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod temporincididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod temporincididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod temporincididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.On-demandeducationworkshopslaunched Total amount ofhome sales fromAHEAD HomebuyersNumber of homespurchased by AHEADhomebuyers3353,647 126Households whoreceived counselingHours of HUD-HousingCounseling performedWorkshopparticipants
278 ElderlyResidentsPROPERTY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS12Who lives in AHEAD properties?185 DisabledResidents126 Children$22,917 averagehousehold income Senior citizens live throughout AHEAD’s portfoliowith the majority of seniors residing in our 13properties designated specifically for seniors andpersons with disabilities. These residents enjoy thefreedom and flexibility of independent living withinsafe and affordable apartments. Coös and Grafton Counties only make up 8% of NH’stotal population but 34.5% of the state’s disabilitycommunity live within in these two counties. TheDisability Community’s need for housing is evergrowing and AHEAD is proud to provide housingand access to community programs and servicesthrough our Resident Service Coordinators. Throughout AHEAD’s entire rental portfolio of 513apartments, 142 are categorized as family. Withinthose 142 apartments, 126 children reside. Providingyoung families safe and affordable housing allowsparents to work towards other financial goals. Coös County has the lowest average income of anyother county within New Hampshire. 92% of AHEAD’sportfolio has income limits of 60% or less of AreaMedian Income (AMI). AHEAD is proud to be able toprovide housing to fixed income and working classhouseholds. *2023 Report | New Hampshire Disability Statistics* New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute
Development PartnershipsThe Gorham Community Learning Center (GCLC) has been proudly serving families ofnorthern New Hampshire since 1978. Always looking for ways to better serve thecommunity, GCLC has gone through multiple expansion efforts over the years to care formore children. In 2017, GCLC added an infant classroom, allowing the ability to offer carefor children as young as 6 weeks old. GCLC provides toddler care, preschool, Pre-K, andschool-age care as well, caring for children as old as 12. In 2024, thanks to AHEAD, CDFACDBG, NBRC, Granite United Way, Danny Dagesse, Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, andnumerous other supporters, GCLC received funding to begin working on its biggestexpansion yet! The Gorham Community Learning Center will be relocating to a largerbuilding, which will house infant, toddler, and preschool programs, nearly doubling theirenrollment capacity. Currently in the very beginning stages of securing a contractor tocomplete the necessary renovations, GCLC hopes to break ground on its new building in2025, allowing a safe, welcoming, licensing-compliant facility that fosters early learning,strong relationships, and high-quality child care. Staff from the Gorham Community Learning Center gather at the future site of their expanded childcare facility.13DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS
In 2024, AHEAD secured funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission in the amount of$750,000 and an additional $100,000 from InvestNH to finalize funding for a new development projectin Whitefield, NH. In 2023, AHEAD entered into an MOU with a group of local investors interested inredeveloping 12 King Square, recognized as the old Shurtleff Pharmacy building. The proposed project isa full gut rehab of the mixed-use building to provide a ground floor commercial space with affordablerental housing on the floors above. The historic building has been deteriorating for several years and isconsidered an emblematic symbol for Whitefield. A full renovation/restoration of the structure willsymbolize to Whitefield residents and visitors that this small community is vibrant and proud. Whencomplete, 12 King Square will be a significant component in a planned resurgence for Whitefield, movingthe community to an active participant in the recent reinvestment witnessed in adjacent communities. AHEAD will retain the ground floor commercial space and create four two-bedroom apartments on theupper two floors, of which at least three will remain affordable for a period of 20 years. Construction isestimated to start on the 12 Kings Square project in Whitefield in early summer of 2025.The proposed project’s total development cost is estimated to be $2.3 million with funding to supportconstruction provided by New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, Northern BorderRegional Commission, and InvestNH. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE14
SUCESS STORYDear Mari, Amy, Katie, and anyone I mayhave forgotten to address, my deepestthanks to all of you for guiding methrough this application processWhether you know it or not you werealways just the right amount ofprofessional mixed with the rightamount of encouragement (as you nowknow, I lack computer skills). Thank Youonce again, you have changed my life,and I will, my family, and will, always begrateful.Sincerely yours, Pamela A.Thank you so much for helping methrough a devasting year-losing yourspouse of almost 50 years is nothingmore than an emotional rollercoaster tosay the least. With that, unaware of ourfinancial instability was yet anotherhurdle. The last two years of fighting tokeep and stay in my home is where youKaren, a true angel, helped me- youworked tirelessly to make it possible.Amy was so instrumental with helpingwill all my documentation needs. Pleaseknow you do what you do, so well - and Iam so glad you were there for me.With love and great appreciation, AnnAHEAD Homeownership Center StaffTESTAMONIALS15
Salaries & Wages Utilities Repairs & Maintenance Interest Property & Other Taxes Property & Liability Insurance Depreciation & Other Total Expenses SALARIES & WAGES24.8%Depreciation & Other32.1%Salaries & Wages24.8%Repairs & Maintenance15.5%Utilities11.6%Interest9%Property & Liability Insurance3.2%Real Estate Rental & Related Income70.9%Grants & Contributions19.6%Fees for Services4%Grants-NeighborWorks America2.2%REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE15.5%UTILITY11.6%INTEREST9%PROPERTY & OTHER TAXES4%PROPERTY & LIABILITY INSURANCE3.2%DEPRECIATION & OTHER32.1%GRANTS & CONTRIBUTIONS19.6%REAL ESTATE RENTAL & RELATED INCOME70.9%OTHER INCOME2.2%GRANTS NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA2.2%FEES FOR SERVICE4%INTEREST INCOME1.1%AHEAD Financials EXPENSES REVENUEGrants & ContributionsGrants-NeighborWorks AmericaReal Estate Rental & Related IncomeFees for ServicesInterest IncomeOther IncomeTotal Revenue$1,680,910$189,000$6,066,156$339,499$90,573$192,190$8,558,328F O R Y E A R E N D I N G D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 2 416$2,264,780$1,057,209$1,419,926$821,513$362,584$290,270$2,934,217$9,150,499FINANCIALS
SILVER SPONSORSAcrisure Badger, Peabody & SmithRealtyBangor Savings BankDead River CompanyDevine Millimet Attorneys atLawHEB EngineersFederal Home Loan Bank ofBostonNortheast Credit UnionThe Rowley AgencyUnion Bank$1,000- $2,499BRONZE SPONSORSHarvey ConstructionNorthway Bank$500- $999veyConstructionhwayBank99THANK YOUDONOR OR VOLUNTEER NAMEWE THANK OUR PARTNERS FOR INVESTING IN OUR WORK!PLATINUM SPONSORSPROGRAMMATIC PARTNERS$5,000 +NeighborWorks AmericaNew Hampshire Housing The Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentNeil & Louise Tillotson FundNH Charitable FoundationLinden Foundation17GOLD SPONSORS$2,500- $4,999Artist-Lexi Canton, age 5
StaffCarla Allen, Controller/Finance DirectorJesse Barton, Maintenance TechnicianLawrence Berg, Director of DevelopmentMelissa Blood, Asset ManagerJason Capps, Maintenance Technician (former)Christine Crespo, Director of Property ManagementLillian "Annie"Crowley, Property Manager (former)Mari DeBlois, Homeownership AdvisorKaren Fagnant, Homeownership Advisor (former)James Fairbanks, Maintenance TechnicianChelsea Farquharson, Compliance CoordinatorKaren Farquharson, Compliance Coordinator (former)Hayley Fisher, Compliance CoordinatorConnie Haines, Accounting SpecialistEric Hartlen, Maintenance TechnicianJason Hatch, Maintenance TechnicianHarrison Kanzler, Executive DirectorDiane Labbe, Property ManagerTodd Legard, Maintenance TechnicianLoren Locke, Maintenance TechnicianMichelle Luce (Jackson), Resident Services CoordinatorAmy Lurvey, Homeownership Advisor (former)Kris Mardin, Compliance ManagerOlivia Mardin, CustodianSamantha Marshall, Director of Programming & CommunicationsKelly Mason, Senior Homeownership AdvisorVern K Masters, Administrative Support Specialist (former)Kerry McLain, Resident Services CoordinatorMichael McLain, Maintenance TechnicianRobert Middleton, Maintenance TechnicianAnnette Nelson, Accounts Payable ManagerMegan Nile, Intake Specialist/Case Worker (former)Summer Patnoe, Occupancy SpecialistJoseph Pattie, Maintenance Technician (former)Zachary Pierce, Maintenance Technician (former)Helen Prishwalko, Maintenance TechnicianJoshua Robinson, Facilities ManagerLance Tucker, Property Manager Brittany Washburn, Intake SpecialistJeffrey Young, CustodianChad Zanes, Site CoordinatorSTAFF18
www.homesahead.orginfo@homesahead.org603-444-1377262 Cottage St, Littleton, NH 03561