Community Action Partnership of Strafford County Purchases Property on Wakefield Street to Expand Senior Housing in Rochester
Rochester, NH — Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the property at 86 Wakefield Street, located adjacent to the historic Gafney Home. This strategic purchase supports CAPSC’s expanding efforts to serve older adults in Strafford County through safe, affordable housing opportunities.
CAPSC — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1965 — works to reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and improve economic stability for low-income children, families, seniors, and adults through education, advocacy, and community partnerships. The agency offers more than 60 coordinated programs, including housing services, food pantries, fuel and electric assistance, childcare and Head Start, transportation, and homelessness prevention services.
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity 86 Wakefield Street brings to our senior housing programs,” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. “New Hampshire has one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the country, and we see every day how urgently more affordable housing is needed — especially for our most vulnerable older residents.”
CAPSC is currently evaluating the 86 Wakefield Street building and systems to identify improvements that support enhanced senior housing, complementing its work at the adjacent Gafney Home site. The Gafney Home — once a historic assisted living facility — was transformed by CAPSC into affordable senior apartments and continues to serve residents aged 62 and over.
Planning for the property is still underway to determine the style of housing (apartments, communal living, etc.), which will be created out of the large dwelling currently located at 86 Wakefield Street. However, while some details of the future project remain unclear, CAPSC remains committed to using the space to create affordable housing for seniors.
“We look forward to working with community partners and local leaders to build on this legacy and further our mission of safe, affordable housing for seniors throughout the region,” Parker added.
CAPSC’s senior housing priorities reflect a broader mission to help individuals and families throughout Strafford County meet basic needs and achieve long-term stability.
More information can be found at straffordcap.org.
About Community Action Partnership of Strafford County
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization established under the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 and was founded locally in Strafford County in 1965. The mission of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is to reduce barriers to help clients improve their economic stability and well-being through education, advocacy, and partnerships. While holding the vision to eliminate poverty, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) also works to hold values of communication, collaboration, client-focus and accountability through all its local efforts. CAPSC remains the sole provider of a fleet of programs and services that are designed to promote the welfare of all people experiencing low incomes. CAPSC employs nearly 150 people across its locations in Dover, Farmington, Rochester, and Somersworth. More information can be found at straffordcap.org.
CAPSC Mission and Vision
Founded in 1965, CAPSC is the sole provider in Strafford County to offer a full suite of programs and services designed to have a measurable impact on the health and welfare of at-risk children, seniors, and people experiencing low incomes.
Without the services provided by our agency, many local residents would be without a means to provide for their basic needs, including food, education, child care, utilities assistance, transportation, housing, emergency shelter and access to other services.
Read more here.
