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Nashua Nonprofit Aids Community Members

By Staff | Apr 12, 2020

NASHUA, NH, (April 7, 2020) – The Front Door Agency, a Nashua-based nonprofit that helps families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency, announced that it is now accepting applications for aid from community members struggling to make ends meet as a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak. Applications for aid and full program details are now available online at www.frontdooragency.org.

As social distancing becomes the new normal in Greater Nashua, local businesses are losing sales and cutting employee hours to stay afloat, especially in the hospitality industry where restaurants are restricted to offering take-out and delivery options only. For hourly employees, especially those living paycheck-to-paycheck, a reduction in work hours could easily lead to a loss of benefits and the inability to pay their rent or utility bills.

While emergency orders have been put into place that prevent landlords from starting eviction proceedings and prevent utility companies from disconnecting service due to nonpayment, these orders apply only during the current state of emergency. Once it is lifted, employees that have gone weeks or months without a paycheck will be even further behind on payments and could easily find themselves facing eviction or homelessness. And while unemployment benefits have been expanded, they remain limited in New Hampshire. With average rent around $1,500 per month in Nashua, many families are expected to struggle as a result of the current crisis.

Through the Front Door Agency’s Housing Stability program, qualified applicants can receive assistance with rent and utilities, both overdue payments and payments coming due. Dedicated case managers will review household budgets with clients and even help make payment arrangements with utility companies or provide referrals for legal assistance as necessary. Please visit www.frontdooragency.org for full program details, requirements and an online application.

“The most economical and humane strategy for those at risk of homelessness is to prevent it in the first place,” says Maryse Wirbal, CEO of the Front Door Agency. “With additional funding allocated to prevention services in last year’s state budget agreement, we were able to expand our Housing Stability program to serve those affected by the CoVid-19 pandemic. Our programs have developed over the years to reflect the changing needs of the Greater Nashua community, and this situation is no different. We are committed to serving our neighbors during this uncertain time.”

In addition to expanding its services to those negatively affected by CoVid-19, the Front Door Agency is taking other precautions to keep its clients, staff and volunteers safe and healthy during the pandemic. To aid in social distancing, all program applications are now available online and the Agency is restricting visitors to its main office.

The 32nd Annual Gourmet Festival & Auction, the Agency’s biggest fundraiser of the year, has been postponed to May 17. Nashua’s Mom Prom to benefit the Front Door Agency has also been postponed, likely to the fall. Please visit www.frontdooragency.org for more details and updates as the situation continues to evolve.

About the Front Door Agency

Last year, the Front Door Agency assisted more than 1,200 people in Greater Nashua through its core programs, which in addition to Transformational Housing for single mothers include Financial Literacy; a Holiday Santa Program and a Housing Stability Program offering assistance with rent, utilities, security deposit loans and permanent affordable housing. To learn more, visit www.frontdooragency.org.

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