Rochester Voice 5:12 a.m.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 5:11 am
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DOVER - Our Place NH, a nonprofit committed to creating residential opportunities tailored to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently received $55,000 in grant funding to help support the renovation and expansion of a former childcare center into its first supportive housing property.
The funding includes two grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation -- $40,000 from the Charlie Bucket Fund and $5,000 from the Charles W. Jones Fund -- as well as a $10,000 grant from the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation, according to a statement released by Our Place officials.
Purchased in August 2024, the former childcare center will be transformed into nine one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to help 11 adults with disabilities live independently while receiving the support they need. Round-the-clock staff will assist with daily living skills, banking, paperwork, transportation, community involvement, and access to medical care, all geared toward empowerment and self-sufficiency.
"With this project, we're not just building a home -- we're building hope and a place to thrive," said Laurie McIntosh, founder and board chair of Our Place NH. "There is a widespread assumption that housing exists for this population, but it doesn't. These are individuals already living and working in our communities who need consistent support in many areas of daily life -- support that is most often provided by their aging parents or family caregivers. Like housing for seniors or childcare for families, inclusive housing must be a shared community priority."
The project comes at a critical time for New Hampshire's IDD community. According to recent data from the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, 27,000 people in NH have developmental disabilities and 73% currently live with a family caregiver. Roughly 1/3 of those caregivers are over the age of 60.
For many families, these numbers reflect growing anxiety. With family caregivers aging and uncertainty about the future, there is widespread concern about what will happen when parents or guardians are no longer able to provide care.
Dan Desmond, a 33-year-old potential future resident who currently lives with his parents, Janette and Phil, shared how much he's looking forward to the supportive environment. "I'd be able to see my friends living at Our Place and be independent. I'd be able to go to restaurants, work, movie theaters, doctor appointments, and the gym. I'd be able to make a dinner menu and go shopping for meals and cook dinner for me and my friends."
The strong community demand is already evident: more than 100 individuals and families are following the project in hopes of securing what would become a "forever home." Our Place NH hopes to break ground on the supportive housing project in 2026, with the first tenants expected to move in as early as 2027.
To donate to Our Place NH, visit OurPlaceNH.org/support-us.
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About Our Place NH
Founded in 2019, Our Place NH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building permanent supportive housing and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Our Place NH is dedicated to fostering growth and independence through vocational, social and recreational opportunities. For more information, visit OurPlaceNH.org. For volunteer opportunities, email Laurie McIntosh at info@ourplacenh.org or call 603-697-1011.