15 Manchester Lots Sold, Raising $1.1M For Affordable Housing

MANCHESTER, NH — All 15 vacant Manchester lots auctioned off back in June have been sold, raising $1,134,695 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Mayor Jay Ruais announced Wednesday

"This is fantastic news for the city and a real tribute to teamwork," Ruais said, in part. "We turned surplus into service which was our goal from the very beginning ... We're already taking action to start more affordable housing projects here in Manchester."

The idea is that the vacant lots will be put "back onto the tax roll to generate much-needed revenue," City Tax Collector Brenda Masewic said. "The proceeds from each sale are a tangible resource to aid in helping resolve the housing shortage."

In addition, the city's Community Improvement Program committee recently approved the expenditure of $200,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the purchase of a building that will provide 8 units of housing at $800 a month per unit for people previously unhoused, officials added.

"In the coming months, the Board will consider the expenditure of finances for other similar projects in the city," officials added. "This is all possible because of the sale of the 15 lots."

This has been a top priority and initiative for Ruais since his inaugural address, according to officials.

"Mayor Ruais has made addressing affordable housing and homelessness a priority since being sworn in," officials said. "Turning vacant city lots into productive use, while at the same time generating funding for more affordable housing is part of his broader strategy to help solve these complex issues."