Portsmouth, N.H. – A $30 million, 98‑year lease agreement between the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire and local nonprofit partners is turning a historic parcel of land into a mixed‑use community hub called Violet’s Way. The project, named for an enslaved woman believed to be buried on the site, will combine affordable housing, transitional housing for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, a daycare, and a new, smaller church building.

Faith‑based partnership fuels development

Rev. A. Robert Hirshfeld, bishop of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, called the effort “a marvelous moment” and praised the collaboration that allows the church’s property to serve a broader public purpose. The land, originally gifted in the mid‑1960s for worship and healing, will now host a suite of services aimed at easing the city’s housing and childcare shortages.

Affordable housing for families

The Portsmouth Housing Authority will manage 44 new units, each featuring two or three bedrooms. “In Portsmouth, the demand for child care and housing dramatically outstrips supply,” said Adam Ruedig, president of the Portsmouth Housing Authority Limited Board. He noted that the project will relieve generational stress on local households by providing stable, affordable homes.

Transitional housing and daycare for survivors

Haven, a local nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic and sexual violence, will occupy the former church building. It plans to create seven transitional housing units adjacent to the structure and operate a daycare on the ground floor, offering both shelter and early‑childhood support for families rebuilding their lives.

New worship space honors history

A smaller Episcopal sanctuary will be constructed near the African burial grounds, preserving the site’s spiritual heritage while respecting the memory of Violet and the other enslaved individuals believed to be interred there.

Funding and timeline

While the $30 million development is being funded through a combination of private donations, nonprofit fundraising, and public support, organizers anticipate that portions of the complex will open in the fall of next year. The no‑cost lease arrangement ensures that the land remains under church ownership while allowing nonprofits to operate the housing and service components.

Community impact

Local leaders see Violet’s Way as a model of faith‑driven, community‑focused development that addresses pressing needs without burdening taxpayers. By integrating affordable housing, supportive services, and a place of worship, the project aims to create a lasting positive impact for generations of Portsmouth residents.

Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.