Building Dreams: Technology, service dog part of vision for supportive house built by Home Possible Project

GILFORD — Development of The Home Possible Project’s supportive housing home will begin in 2027, contingent on funding, and feature modern amenities like smart technology and a new service dog program intended to assist the entire eight-resident household.

The service dog program is the first of its kind and is meant to enhance safety and quality of life for residents.

“It's a little different than each individual having their own service dog,” said Gary DiMartino, who founded The Home Possible Project alongside his wife, Lisa. “These are specially trained to work within the environment of the community residence for all the residents. [It will] be able to right emotional well-being for residents, and enhance safety and comfort. They can be trained if somebody falls or is having an issue, or they can sense seizures. They can sense if somebody's off a little bit, to try to be proactive.”

Spearheaded by Home Possible Project board members John and Kathryn Guest, whose daughter Ella is a future resident of the new supportive house, the dog would complement smart technology, including AI.

“There's a trend going toward using a system of robots. They have them now for interaction for individuals or, like, nursing homes, or [individuals with] autism. But even for autism and special needs, they use them for social interaction and teach that interaction, but they can also be used to help monitor falls or be able to make rounds,” Gary said.

According to materials from HPP, “The building incorporates universal design principles, energy-efficient systems, geothermal heating and cooling, and solar energy to support sustainability and reduce operating costs. Smart home and assistive technologies are discreetly integrated to enhance safety, communication, and independence.”

The home fulfills one of the major unmet needs for adults with developmental disabilities: housing.

Full steam ahead

The project is being phased in two parts due to rising construction costs. Phase I will include housing for up to eight residents, and is estimated to cost $4 million.

Located on 6.8 acres donated by First United Methodist Church of Gilford-Laconia in Gilford, the home will provide residences for adults with developmental disabilities in the Lakes Region for generations to come.

“Our dream is that this isn't just going to be a one and done. We're going to build the second one, and then our dream is that we build more,” Lisa said. "The whole idea is that this nonprofit will build supportive housing for individual adults with developmental disabilities throughout the Lakes region. The need is huge.”

Each resident will have their own private studio apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette, along with shared common areas, including a larger community kitchen with a dining area and family space. There will also be a laundry room and staff, office along with an attached two-car garage.

Phase II will serve another eight residents. By phasing the development, The Home Possible Project can house more adults than originally anticipated.

“That was one of the reasons that we did the phases. Before we were at 12. Now, potentially, with the two phases, we're at 16, so we'll be able to accommodate more, which is nice,” Gary said.

The hope is the Phase I residence will open in 2028, solving a major problem relative to aging caregivers.

Nothing guaranteed

The project’s capital campaign, Building Dreams, is now underway, and it’s full steam ahead for the board.

Funding is the last piece needed for everything to fall into place and get started. The DiMartinos are pursuing three large funding sources, including a request to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for congressional-directed spending, monies from the Community Development Finance Authority for $400,000 in tax credits, and a Community Development Block Grant.

“We need to enhance our capital campaign, and try and get as much support as we can, because none of these funding sources are guaranteed,” said Lisa.

Gary agreed. 

“The message is we need $4 million to get this project completed, because these, the bigger grants, are not guaranteed.”

There are several ways to get involved.

Donations can be made directly to The Home Possible Project, and businesses can provide in-kind services or materials for the overall completion of the build. Volunteers are always welcome.

For more information, visit homepossiblenh.org.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.