When Carmen Lorentz was appointed director of economic development for the State of NH in 2014, it became clear to her that one issue impacted all others—housing.
When her work with the state ended, Lorentz found herself drawn toward addressing the housing shortage. “It became very clear that one of our biggest challenges with economic development is housing,” says Lorentz, who is now executive director of Lakes Region Community Developers in Laconia, a role she’s held since 2017.
Lakes Region Community Developers creates new affordable housing units. Some, like The Village at Mill Pond in Ashland, are for general occupancy and even include single-family homes. Other projects serve populations that are particularly vulnerable: Bay Street Apartments in Laconia provides 12 units of supported housing for people who have experienced homelessness, while Jameson Street Apartments in Laconia provides three supported housing units for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lorentz says she’s most proud of those specialized projects that “are helping people who have the most difficulty.”
Lorentz says having a home that is a place to rest and recharge is
important. Without that security and comfort, she wouldn’t be as energetic a leader, she says. Everyone deserves that, and people are better parents, employees and community members when they have stable housing.
“It can change their whole life,” Lorentz says. “You can go from being in total panic survival mode where you can’t get through a day, to a place where you feel content and secure enough to take steps toward your future.”
When the prospect of solving NH’s housing crisis seems too great, Lorentz focuses on the individual lives she’s helped change. She points to Carrie Duran, a mother of three (including a child with Down syndrome). Duran lives in Harriman Hill apartments in Wolfeboro and serves on the board for Lakes Region Community Developers, which always includes at least four residents.
“[Carrie] talks about the fact that having this home gave her the space to be able to chart a path that she’s really proud of,” Lorentz says. “We’ve helped her family flourish and thrive.”
