Fundraising ongoing for O'Connor-Sisson House

Apr 15, 2016

The O’Connor-Sisson House is starting to look more like a home, but donations are still needed to help furnish rooms for its future tenants: veterans in need.

Once finished, the building on Route 6 will house low-income veterans, a community center and an office for supportive services.

While construction is ongoing, the Housing Authority is collecting money for furnishings, said Connie Desbiens, the executive director of the Dartmouth Housing Authority.

Local businesses, organizations and people who want to sponsor a bedroom or part of a room are encouraged to reach out to the Dartmouth Housing Authority at 508-994-1424.

Fully furnishing a bedroom is estimated to cost around $5,000. The Housing Authority is also looking for additional money to fund necessities for other areas in the house, like a laundry room.

Because the Housing Authority is a nonprofit organization, donations are tax-deductible.

“People or organizations who donate $5,000 are going to have a room with a plaque in it, thanking them,” Desbiens said.

She aims to have a display in the main lobby for everyone who donated to the project, no matter what the size of the donation.

The O’Connor-Sisson House was formerly used as a State Police barracks. The Dartmouth Housing Authority acquired the property four years ago and spent the past few years seeking funding for its rehabilitation. The project will cost around $2.6 million, most of which is funded through the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development.