NASHUA, NH – A proposal for 10-15 units of “critically needed” transitional housing for women and children goes before the Nashua Planning Board Thursday night.
Nonprofit Marguerite’s Place is proposing a four-story, 15-unit building at 106 Pine St. Marguerite’s Place provides programming, early childhood education and transitional housing for women and children.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Nashua City Hall, 229 Main St.
The site of the proposed building is adjacent to the organization’s 87 Palm St. offices, and currently houses a two-story building that was Pine Motor Parts storage warehouse since 1970, and has always housed automotive businesses, according to city officials. It has been vacant since March 2023, and the nonprofit acquired the property in October 2023.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment in July approved variances for the project, including setback and density allowances.
If the site plan is approved by the planning board, the building at 106 Pine St. would be torn down, and the project, as proposed, would be allowed.
The plan is for a 17.765-square-foot, four-story building that would have a family resource center and offices on the first floor, with 10-15 transitional housing units on the upper floors. It will also include expanding office space for the organization’s growing team, as well as more trauma-informed confidential office space that would provide more privacy to families.
Transitional housing is a temporary residence that provides a bridge between homelessness and stable longer-term housing. It’s considered key to moving, and keeping, individuals and families with low incomes, or other issues, in long-term housing.
The location of the site makes it deal for Marguerite’s Place – it abuts the back of 87-89 Palm St., where it’s offices and other transitional housing are.
The owners are seeking a waiver for on-site parking with the site plan. Normally 38 spaces would be required for a 15-unit residential building that also includes office space. The owners are in the process of finalizing a lease for parking on Lemoine Street, at a site near the plan site, according to the report accompanying the Planning Board site plan application. The Lemoine Street property owner is the same one from which the organization bought 106 Pine St.
Only about half of Marguerite’s Place transitional housing residents have vehicles, and those that do usually only have one per unit, according to the report. The property is also within easy walking distance of downtown and services. The organization’s staff and clients also use parking already provided at its four Palm Street properties, it said.
The nonprofit has 10 transitional units for women and children on Palm Street, but said there is a critical need for more.
An increase in demand for the Marguerite’s Place programs and services began in 2019, according to the organization’s ZBA application. “This need was accelerated by the pandemic, which revealed a mounting crisis for families experiencing homelessness in the Nashua community.”
Applications for transitional housing soared from 45 in 2019 to more than 235 in 2023, the organization said.
“There is a shortage of affordable housing and services for women and children in need of safe and secure transitional housing,” the application said. “There is a great public interest in increasing the availability of housing options and quality of programs and resources offered by Marguerite’s Place.”
The project will “substantially improve Marguerite’s Place operations” as well as allow it to serve a greater number of women and children in need of transitional housing, early childhood education and support, the application said.
The neighborhood is in the center of the city, with houses and apartment buildings on small lots. It was subdivided in the late 1800s to create affordable housing for the growing industries that were being constructed away from city’s waterways, according to the report.
Marguerite’s Place has been in the neighborhood since it was founded 30 years ago by Sister Sharon Walsh and Sister Elaine Fahey. It was named in honor of St. Marguerite d’Youville, the foundress of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, who “dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable members of her community.” The organization “aims to end cyclical homelessness and poverty, interrupts the impact of trauma on future generations, and provides a lasting solution to familial instability.”