Avesta handles record number of applications for West End II

Applicants wait in line to apply for affordable housing at West End II.

Angola. Afghanistan. South Sudan. Rwanda. Burundi. Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Asylum seekers in Maine come from these countries and more. They have different beliefs, different cultures, different backgrounds. But they have at least one thing in common: They have been forced to flee their home countries. Now they are in Maine, eager to begin a new phase in their lives and hopeful for a better future.

Last month, Avesta Housing processed 1,037 applications for apartments at West End II, our new development in South Portland. The majority of applicants are asylum seekers who are homeless and living in motels or shelters.

Applications waiting to be processed.

We held open office hours multiple times throughout the application week to meet with and support the influx of people who needed help applying. Staff assisted with applications, and some served as interpreters for applicants who spoke no or limited English.

It was good to engage with members of the community again, said Applicant Services Manager Emily Pelletier. And it was gratifying to know they were helping those in need of affordable housing.

“I think I can speak for my team when I say that what we are taking away from this experience is a real wish we had even more apartments for these folks,” Emily said.

West End I family: 'Avesta is home'

Our latest mission impact video shines the spotlight on West End I in South Portland through the eyes of Aline, a resident who lives at the property with her husband and three children. “With Avesta Housing, we can see that our future will be bright,” Aline says. Click below to view the video.

Development News

Avesta Housing celebrated its first affordable housing development in Mount Washington Valley, N.H., on Sept. 23 with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring development, legislative, and financial partners. When completed, River Turn Woods will provide 156 new homes to the Conway area. The first phase, consisting of 40 new homes, is expected to be completed by summer 2023.

Artist's rendering of River Turn Woods

“Avesta is honored to be part of this vibrant community that holds such a rich history, and we are proud to be able to bring much-needed affordable housing to the area,” said Avesta Housing President and CEO Rebecca Hatfield. “We recognize that New Hampshire and Maine are experiencing a dire and unprecedented affordable housing crisis, and we are committed to doing everything we can to address that challenge.”

Also speaking at the event were Patrick Hess, Avesta Housing director of real estate development; Chuck Henderson, special assistant for policy and projects for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen; Ben Belanger, senior assistant for policy and projects for Sen. Maggie Hassan; Rob Dapice, executive director and CEO of New Hampshire Housing; Andy Dean, chair of the Mount Washington Valley Housing Coalition; and Diane Donaldson, senior vice president with Bangor Savings Bank.

In other development news, the City of Lewiston Planning Board has approved plans for Wedgewood in Lewiston, Maine. The first phase of development under the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program, Wedgewood will include eight new buildings and one historic rehabilitation. We are hoping to begin preliminary site work in late fall/early winter and begin construction in earnest early next year. When complete, the buildings will be owned and managed by Lewiston Housing Authority.

Artist's rendering of historic rehabilitation that will be part of the Wedgewood development

Registration drive provides election information to residents

Avesta Housing has partnered with League of Women Voters (LWV) of Maine to help Avesta residents register to vote in the upcoming midterm election. Since mid-September, volunteers from LWV have canvassed door-to-door at Avesta properties throughout Maine, distributing nonpartisan election information and instructions on how to register.

The majority of residents have welcomed the canvassers into their homes, said Avesta Resident Service Manager Nicholas Kjeldgaard. Many are recent immigrants eager to participate in the democratic process; if they are not U.S. citizens, they are given information on how to obtain citizenship.

According to Lado Ladoka, program director with LWV of Maine, the partnership with Avesta has been a great success. “Our research shows that people who are low-income are less likely to vote, but they are the most affected by policy,” he said. “Many things in their lives are important; if they can put voting as one of the most important things, they can help make our society much better.”

The registration drive will conclude on Oct. 18 in accordance with state law. Click below for more information about the November election and how to register to vote.

Rebecca Hatfield named to Mainers of the Year list

Maine Magazine has named Avesta Housing President & CEO Rebecca Hatfield one of its Mainers of the Year. Each year, the magazine honors exceptional Maine residents to celebrate the work they’ve done and continue to do for the state.

Maine Magazine noted Rebecca’s commitment to and leadership in addressing the affordable housing crisis in our state. The article made note of the tremendous progress Avesta continues to make to ensure, in Rebecca’s words, “that all Mainers have a safe, quality, and affordable place to call home.” Congratulations, Rebecca!

Brick Hill after-school program continues growth in fall semester

In 2021, Avesta Housing began offering an after-school pilot program at Brick Hill in South Portland in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine (BGCSM) with funds from the United Way of Southern Maine’s Brick & Beam Society. The program offers academic support, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities, and overall wellness promotion to children in grades kindergarten through fifth living in the Redbank/Brick Hill community, which includes the Avesta properties Brick Hill Heights, Brick Hill Townhouses, Brick Hill Cottages, and West End Apartments.

Lee Klarman, South Portland area director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, at the Brick Hill campus after-school program. (Photo courtesy BGCSM)

Thanks to additional funding from the Brick & Beam Society and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), we are continuing the after-school program this school year as well as making improvements to the community room, playground, and outdoor classroom space. Lee Klarman, South Portland area director for BGCSM, reports that this fall’s program has been well-attended, averaging 20 children each day. An outdoor community event is planned for Oct. 27 in conjunction with the Brick & Beam Society.

The after-school program is indicative of how members of a community can have a positive impact on their neighbors’ lives — of the three BGCSM employees who staff the program, one is a current Brick Hill resident, and another has lived in the neighborhood his entire life. Click here for more information.

Children enjoy the after-school program provided at Brick Hill by Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. (Photos courtesy BGCSM) 

50 Voices of Avesta: Ruscirene

"50 Voices of Avesta" is a celebration of Avesta Housing's 50th anniversary as told by our residents, employees, board members, partners, and more. This edition features Ruscirene, a resident at West End I in South Portland. Click below to view the video!

75 State Street hosts first public art show since pandemic

Piano music and the chatter of happy voices filled the air on Oct. 7 as 75 State Street resident artists exhibited their work as part of Portland Arts District's First Friday Art Walk. It was the first public art show at 75 State Street since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the excitement of hosting an in-person event was evident.

Marlene Cordes has been living at 75 State Street with her husband Ralph since the beginning of the pandemic. Marlene minored in art as an undergraduate and is grateful for the studio in the building. She takes advantage of classes offered there and, like so many others in attendance, speaks highly of Activities Assistant Ann Jolda, who leads classes. “She’s just wonderful,” said Marlene. “She’s like the Pied Piper of art.”

Marlene creates notecards through a painstaking process that makes each card an original piece. “I start with watercolor for the background,” explained Marlene. “Then I do a pencil sketch and go over it with pen and colored pencil. After that, I attach the piece to colored paper to add texture to the finish card.” The result of Marlene’s artwork is an array of beautiful, unique notecards for any occasion.

75 State Street resident Marlene Cordes displays her artwork during the show.

Congratulations to Marlene and all the talented resident artists at 75 State Street for a wonderful show!