Hearing set Tuesday to review progress on Gafney Home move to senior housing

ROCHESTER - Rochester's City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to elicit public comment on a Community Development Block Grant housing project for the Gafney Home, which shut down due to financial pressures in May 2019.

Formerly an assisted living facility, it is expected to transition to elderly housing under the leadership of the nonprofit Community Action Partnership.

According to a release from the City of Rochester, up to $500,000 annually is available on a competitive basis for housing/public facilities, economic development, microenterprise, and emergency activities that directly benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Up to $12,000 is available for feasibility study grants.

Tuesday's project update is expected to include:

1. Project progress/status of completion and expected timeframe to finalcompletion.
2. Results to date and projected totals, such as number of beneficiaries assisted, housing units completed, portion of project in service, or persons served.
3. Funds expended, balance of funds available, and budget expectations to completion.

The Gafney Home operated for decades as a 20-bed assisted living facility. but rising health care costs and a dwindling population at the home led to increasing debt and its subsequent closure.

Members from Strafford Regional Planning and Community Action Partnership will be in attendance. The public hearing starts at 6 p.m.