CLAREMONT — Sullivan County’s effort to provide a sober housing facility is back on track thanks to additional funding support from New Hampshire Housing and the Community Loan Fund.
On Oct. 7, the Board of Commissioners decided to step back from the planned project at 19 Sullivan St., the former building that housed the Eagle-Times in Claremont, because construction cost estimates exceeded the budget.
While notifying the project’s funders of this decision, County Manager Derek Ferland learned of the possibility of additional funding to close the gap.
“We needed an additional $800,000 based on the current construction estimate and were able to source those funds from New Hampshire Housing and the Community Loan Fund contingent on the project being approved for Community Development Block Grant funding.” That approval was obtained by unanimous vote last week by the Community Development Finance Authority Advisory Committee.
Ferland emphasized that the current estimate is a worst-case number and as the design progresses the cost is likely to come down.
“We don’t have a fully developed design yet but will be working with the project team to finalize those details. As we do, assumptions and unknowns will become known and we’ll have greater confidence in the final project cost.”
Sullivan County’s Department of Corrections Superintendent Dave Berry stated, “We are relieved to be back on track. The lack of a stable and alcohol/drug free living environment can be a serious obstacle to sustained recovery. Destructive living environments can derail recovery for even highly motivated individuals.”
In addition to completing the renovation design, next steps include consultation with the Planning Board as well as public meetings if requested. Ferland continued, “Superintendent Berry and I are happy to speak with anybody who wants to learn more about the program.”
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