A fuller picture of Twin Pines
The recent Valley News coverage of Twin Pines Housing leaves readers with an incomplete and, at points, misleading impression of how our properties are managed.
Twin Pines Housing serves hundreds of people across the Upper Valley, including seniors, veterans, working families, and individuals with disabilities. In our most recent resident survey, 94% of respondents reported satisfaction with their housing, and 77% gave our maintenance team a positive review. Those results reflect the day-to-day experience of the vast majority of our residents.
It is also important to correct the record regarding the notion of a “wave” of discontent. That characterization is overstated. A small number of residents spoke at the February meeting, including several individuals who have raised similar concerns repeatedly over time. Their perspectives matter, but they are not representative of most residents. Notably, the article did not mention that 10 residents submitted written testimony in support of Twin Pines.
Like many communities across Vermont and New Hampshire, Hartford is grappling with the impacts of substance use disorder and behavioral health challenges. These are complex, community-wide issues that extend well beyond any one housing provider. We continue to take concrete steps to address concerns, including increasing security measures and strengthening partnerships with service providers.
We will engage with the committee process in good faith, but it is disappointing that it was prompted by a partial and, at times, misleading narrative. A more balanced understanding of the facts would better serve residents and the broader community.
Andrew Winter, Norwich
Winter is the executive director of Twin Pines Housing.