BEDFORD – On Friday, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted a roundtable discussion with housing advocates and lenders on mortgage relief available to help Granite State families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The event came in response to the federal foreclosure moratorium that is set to expire at the end of June, which threatens the housing security of thousands of vulnerable Granite Staters. During the roundtable, Shaheen heard more from those on the frontlines on what they are hearing from homeowners and highlighted the funding included in the American Rescue Plan to provide mortgage assistance to New Hampshire families.

“Many Granite State families are still reeling from the devastating impacts of this economic and public health emergency and are in danger of losing their homes,” said Senator Shaheen. “I want to thank the housing advocates and lenders who joined me today to highlight the federal relief funds that are available to keep Granite Staters in their homes, and I urge state officials to move swiftly to get federal relief that’s been delivered to the state out the door. There is no time to waste. I’ll keep fighting in the Senate to combat this housing crisis.”

Shaheen has fought to protect New Hampshire homeowners and renters left vulnerable by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Shaheen-backed American Rescue Plan includes nearly $50 billion for states to provide relief for vulnerable homeowners. The emergency COVID-19 relief legislation, supported by Shaheen and signed into law in December, provided $25 billion in emergency rental assistance.

Later, Senator Shaheen visited Rye Harbor with former U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) to celebrate the result of dredging operations that began last fall. The dredging was necessary to combat extreme shoaling that had rendered parts of the waterway difficult to navigate. During their visit, Shaheen and Gregg met with state and local officials to discuss the dredging that took place and how the completion of the project will help preserve the use of the important harbor. The Senators also took part in a boat tour of the harbor to observe the newly dredged areas up close.

“I’m thrilled dredging at Rye Harbor has been successfully completed. Shoaling posed tremendous safety and operational challenges to Seacoast businesses and fishermen who rely on the harbor each day for their livelihoods,” said Senator Shaheen. “I thank Senator Gregg for his support in this effort. Securing funding for this project to preserve the use of Rye Harbor was a top priority for me, and I’ll continue to fight for additional resources to ensure waterways are safe and secure across the Seacoast region.”

A fierce advocate of Granite State coastal communities, Shaheen repeatedly called on the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to dredge Rye Harbor and prioritize the project. In response to Shaheen’s efforts, the Corps included $4 million to complete dredging work at Rye Harbor in their fiscal year 2020 work plan, and later offered assurances to complete this work in a timely manner.

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