NASHUA, NH – The transformation is now complete. On the site of the Bronstein Apartments on Myrtle Street now stands the newly constructed Monahan Manor Apartments. The old 48-unit public housing complex built in 1974 was demolished in 2022 and a the new one was built. The city celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held August 12.
Monahan Manor is a complex with 216 units ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. 206 are designated as affordable housing with 10 leased at market rate. The four-building complex includes a business center, a fitness center, and a playground. A Head Start program will be hosted on-site for children ages 3 to 5.
The project is a multi-year effort by the Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority (NHRA) to add housing inventory in the city. Hutter Construction Corporation managed the construction of the 252,000-square foot project designed by Market Square Architects. NH Housing (NHHFA) provided financing through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the State of NH Affordable Housing Fund.
The project on its own can be considered a success, but in light of the greater housing issues faced by the city, seems like a modest beginning. We are facing a historic housing shortage with hyperinflation in purchase and rental pricing. Demand far outstrips supply.
NHRA Executive Director Lynn Lombardi was celebrating the new complex but reminded the gathered crowd of the scope of the challenge
“The need in this community, as in the country is tremendous. The Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s waiting list for public housing stands at about 3,800 families. Our Section Eight Choice Voucher waiting list stands at over 4,000 families. Our waiting list for this development right here which contains 216 units stands at over 1,900 in less than a year. There is a lot more work to be done.” said Lombardi.
Part of the accomplishment was the transition for the 48 Bronstein resident families through the construction. Alternative housing was provided with other supports to prevent out-of-pocket expenses. More than half have returned as new residents of Monahan with the rest re-located to new locations of their choice.
A crowd of dozens was on hand to mark the occasion, including multiple state representatives, city officials, and business leaders. For President of the Board of Alderman Lori Wilshire, the importance of the new apartments is about the residents.
“I am just so excited that this beautiful property went from 48 to 216 homes for people who really, really need them,” she said.
The apartment complex is named after longtime Nashua Housing Authority commissioner Tom Monahan. He was on hand with members of his family to celebrate the honor. Monahan’s service to Nashua began in the 1980s and continues today. He described to the crowd the origins of the project and the process of its fruition. He summed up the accomplishment with humility.
“It really isn’t about the name for me,” he said. “It’s about the 216 families that reside here.”