Jim Carrigan, MVSB Region Vice President (right), and Angela Salb, MVSB Vice President Commercial Loan Officer (left), present a check to Deborah DeScenza, Founder and Executive Director of Farmsteads of New England.
Farmsteads of New England expects to commence construction this spring on its Redberry Farm Supportive Housing Project in Epping, which seeks to create housing for 27 individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. We are proud to support this effort with a $7,000 tax credit purchase through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA).
Deborah DeScenza, Farmsteads of New England Founder and Executive Director, said this project is based off the model originally developed at the Rosewald Farm in Hillsborough.
“Our model is unique in that residents gain independence and develop a sense of belonging and accomplishment as they participate in farming activities and connect with nature,” she said. “Because most of our residents choose to stay long term, we rarely have openings and our waitlist has only continued to grow. We truly appreciate the support we have received from community partners like MVSB.”
“MVSB is committed to supporting local organizations, like Farmsteads of New England, that provide new opportunities and improve the lives of individuals and families in our communities,” said James Carrigan, MVSB Regional Vice President. “We are very proud to help them expand their capacity and welcome new residents with this contribution.”
Farmsteads of New England was formed in 2003 and has been gradually growing ever since. The Redberry Farm Supportive Housing Project will include eight residential buildings, each with four one-bedroom apartments. Twenty-seven units are intended for individuals they support while the remaining five are designated for live-in staff. Go to farmsteads-ne.org to learn more.