Concord Homeless Org Hopes to Buy New Building

The Open Hands Resource Center, a faith-based nondenominational organization helping the homeless and needy in the Concord community, has signed a purchase and sale agreement on the historic Carter Abbott Farm, a farmhouse and barn on 3.2-acres of land on Iron Works Road with the state of New Hampshire, according to volunteers with the organization.

The property has been on the market for about a year and pending approval, will be the center’s new location. The center has been raising money since January, to purchase a new location since being told it would have to vacate its North Main Street location, the old Mamos Market. The org was also raising money earlier this week at Uno to go toward the effort.

“We are hoping and praying the community and state comes through for the homeless community,” Roberta Hixson stated in an email about the sale. “The project is currently in the state’s hands, as it is a state owned property. If it is meant to be, I know God will see it through.”

The property features more than 9,000 square feet of living space but will need some tender loving care since there is a conservation easement on the property – which limits alterations – and is also in need of some rehabilitation, including some plumbing, structural systems, and some mold and asbestos, according to the property’s Zillow.com listing.

The state of New Hampshire, according to the Concord Monitor, was looking to sell that property as well as 10 other acres around the parcel, two years ago.