Human Affairs Committee Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Human Affairs Committee met on March 17, 2026 (convened March 16 at 7 p.m.) to conduct a public hearing on the FY27 CDBG and HOME annual action plan, consider unfinished business, and hear presentations from nonprofit and city applicants for CDBG funding. No public testimony was offered during the hearing. The committee unanimously recommended final passage of a $15,833 emergency management grant from the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security. Eight organizations presented funding requests totaling over $400,000 for projects ranging from infrastructure improvements to social services. The committee also discussed broader issues of inequity in school playground funding.

Consent Calendar

• R26011: Acceptance of $15,833 from the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security into the Emergency Management Grant Activity – SMART HAS MET FY26. Motion to recommend final passage passed unanimously.

Public Hearing – FY27 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan

• No public testimony for or against the plan. The hearing was closed at 7:05 p.m. The first of two required public hearings; a second hearing will follow a 30-day public comment period. Actual HUD allocations expected March 30, 2026.

Presentations and Discussion – CDBG Funding Requests

Nashua Children's Home

• Request: Replace boilers and hot water system at transitional living program (original equipment from 2004).
• Project details: Six boilers and six water heaters; estimated cost not fully specified. Nominal rent $700/month for very low-to low-income young adults (18-20). 124 young adults served over 22 years, 89 from foster care.
• Questions: Alderman Morgan suggested New Hampshire SAVES program for energy efficiency rebates. Subcommittee indicated they would explore that.
• Partial funding impact: Not explicitly addressed.

Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter

• Request: $100,000 (two-thirds of total) to install a 45-kW generator at the Quincy Street location.
• Rationale: Loss of power during extreme weather forces evacuation and food spoilage. Current inventory: $30,000 food including $4,000 monthly milk/eggs. Serves 80,000+ meals/year, includes Meals for Kids program. Also a partner in NH Mass Care Feeding Workshop with State OEM.
• Partial funding: Would not proceed without full CDBG allocation; would raise other funds.
• Timeline: Projected construction start in 2027 (post-winter).
• Conflict: Alderman Lopez disclosed board membership (recused from vote).

Gateways Community Services

• Request: Replace outdoor decks at two group homes (built in the 1980s).
• Population: Individuals with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, autism. 3,000 individuals served. Residents rely on SSI/Medicaid.
• Partial funding: Would apply for other grants, not guaranteed.
• Note: Alderman Kelly disclosed working with Gateways (recused from vote).

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua

• Request: $100,000 for security fencing and toddler playground equipment; $18,900 secured from other sources.
• Background: Serves 6 weeks-18 years, 68% low/very low income. Recent capital campaign (kitchen, STEM lab, pool, wellness center). Kitchen output doubled to 85,000 meals/year. Expanded child care capacity from 150 to 225 children.
• Partial funding: Priority would be fencing ($45,000); toddler equipment de-scoped.
• Follow-up: Organization clarified they do not balance-bill families; scholarship 35% of those in need.

Nashua PAL (Police Athletic League)

• Request: Two applications – public services (lease offset for St. Pat's gym) and public facilities (camera rework, concrete drainage repair).
• Services: 2,000 youth served; Youth Safe Haven serves 340 low-income youth, 30% growth year-over-year. Concrete issue causes flooding into elevator shaft.
• Partial funding: Would proceed but cameras may be delayed; concrete priority.

Nashua Center

• Request: Two applications – roof replacement (30+ years old) and secure entrance (sliding doors, frost-damaged floor).
• Population: 230+ individuals with developmental disabilities (29 Nashua residents). Medicaid-funded.
• Partial funding: Preference to fund roof fully; entrance improvements could be fundraised separately. Roof is critical (computer damage from leaks).
• Insurance: Not yet pressured to replace but will check.

Family Promise of Nashua

• Request: $50,000 for salary of Homeless Prevention Program Director.
• Program: Prevention/diversion: In 2025, spoke to families of 2,500 individuals; prevented evictions for 194 families (470 people, 201 children) – 95% success rate. Residential facility (24 suites) is full. Opened second location in Derry to free Nashua capacity.
• Partial funding: Will hire second caseworker regardless; rely on donations.
• Definition of family: Any adult with a child (any configuration).

City of Nashua – Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)

• Request: $100,000 to launch free one-on-one financial counseling for low/moderate income residents.
• Model: Cities for Financial Empowerment (31 centers nationwide). Two counselors, manager, city liaison. Expected 30-50 clients/month; average debt reduction $2,400; credit score increase 34 points.
• Operational cost: $250,000-$300,000 annually. City contribution expected $25,000/year after initial year. Other funders: CFE ($150,000 setup), potential sponsorships, co-locations.
• Progress: RFP for nonprofit operator closes April 30, 2026. No operator selected yet. Library and Senior Center offered space.
• Partial funding: If not funded, CFE grant (time-limited) may lapse; alternative model would require more work.
• Discussion: Alderman Johnson asked about connection to high-skilled job recruitment. Alderman Lopez requested holistic context linking to economic mobility plan.

City of Nashua – Overnight Warming Station

• Request: $50,000 for additional staff.
• Program: Low-barrier shelter for unhoused adults (18+). Average 40 guests/night (doubled from previous year). Staff increased from 2 to 3 per shift. Provides overdose reversal, connection to services, mobile health clinic (St. Joseph's), mental health crisis response.
• Funding: Currently uses opioid abatement funds; prefers CDBG to preserve those for direct treatment.
• Partial funding: Would seek other funds; resource center merger under consideration for future.

City of Nashua – Ledge Street School Playground

• Request: $50,000 toward playground reconstruction.
• Project: Replace undersized, poorly drained playground at Ledge Street School. Proposed new location (rear of property) would be 200% larger. Census blocks 108/109: 60% low/moderate income. 450-500 students, 80 eligible for free/reduced lunch.
• Funding mix: $50,000 CDBG; estimated $72,000 from charitable gaming (legislative approval R25229, 2025); balance from city capital budget or gap funding. PTA raised ~$15,000.
• Status: Conceptual; design not finalized. Phased approach (2-3 phases) anticipated. Timeline: likely 2027-2028.
• Ownership: City owns current playground; proposed area may be school district land – needs clarification. Alderman Morgan raised concern about sex offender registry restrictions if school-owned.
• Partial funding: Would look to operating budget or prior-year CDBG reallocations.
• Discussion: Alderman Sforza lamented inequity of PTA-funded playgrounds; Alderman Lopez and Johnson agreed. Public comment from teacher Michelle Mills emphasized community need and fundraising challenges.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Mills (teacher, Ledge Street School): Advocating for the playground project, noting the PTO has only ~5 active parents and fundraising is difficult. Emphasized the playground serves the entire community, not just the school. Distributed materials and invited board members to visit.

Key Outcomes

• R26011 (emergency management grant) recommended for final passage unanimously.
• No votes taken on CDBG allocations. Committee will score and allocate at the April 20, 2026 meeting after receiving actual HUD figures (expected March 30) and updated applicant information.
• Manager Youngers will provide scoring spreadsheet to committee next week.
• Next steps: April 20 meeting for allocation decisions; 30-day public comment period on draft action plan; final submission to HUD by May 15.
• The committee expressed interest in seeing detailed economic mobility strategic plan and further development of the Ledge Street playground proposal.