Catholic Charities NH will begin construction on an a 96-unit affordable and workforce housing complex on Vose Farm Road this summer, and the organization recently received $625,000 in tax credits from New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) to help fund the construction project. 

According to Jeff Lefkovich, the executive director of real estate services for Catholic Charities NH, the project is on track for full occupancy for a spring 2026 opening. Catholic Charities NH initiated the project in the fall of 2022.

“Catholic Charities had been looking for suitable locations, both in terms of being able to do a project, site conditions and so forth – but also geographic areas where, through market studies and housing studies, we’re able to determine significant needs,” Lefkovich said. “In particular, with Peterborough, there hasn’t been much development of housing options in quite some time.”

Lefkovich said he considered 19 different towns across the state, but settled on Peterborough and the large, vacant office complex Vose Farm Road, which will be converted into housing units during the construction project.

“I thought [Peterborough] had potential – to repurpose an existing long-vacant office project, as well having enough acreage to be able to get a sizable housing project developed,” Lefkovich said.

Catholic Charities NH will use the tax credit funding for the first phase of Vose Farm Residences, which includes the construction of 64 units.

“We are incredibly appreciative and thankful to the CDFA for their support and shared commitment to addressing the current affordable housing crisis,” stated Lefkovich. “Vose Farm Residences is poised to play a significant role in not only providing much-needed housing but also stimulating the local economy and enhancing community connectivity across the Monadnock region.”

Before initiating the project, Catholic Charities NH applied for two zoning variances -- one to build residential apartments in the industrial zone, and one to fill in a wetland that exists on the property. According to Lefkovich and Peterborough Director of Planning and Building Danica Melone, the wetland area is low-quality and manmade, and the proposed construction will not impact the environment. Both variances were approved by the Peterborough Zoning Board. 

Catholic Charities NH has submitted site plans to the Peterborough Planning Board, and is waiting for approval before breaking ground. Melone says she expects the Planning Board to come to a decision by the end of the week.

Vose Farm Residences will feature mixed-income one- and two-bedroom apartments available to individuals or families earning up to 60% of the area’s median income.

Businesses can contribute to the project by purchasing tax credits, which provide a 75% New Hampshire state tax credit against their contribution. These credits can used by businesses to reduce their tax liability while investing in a community initiative. For information about purchasing tax credits, contact Catholic Charities Vice President of Philanthropy Karen Moynihan at 603-663-0240 or via email at kmoynihan@cc-nh.org. Information about Vose Farm Residences can be found at vosefarmresidences.com. Resident applications will begin in 2025.