Everyone deserves a place to call home. | |
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When we talk about affordable housing, the news is often dire. And for good reason. In Maine, the number of people reported to be in need of affordable housing has reached the highest level in the state’s history, and there are likely many more who go unreported. The rate of affordable housing creation has not kept up with the need for years, and the pandemic exacerbated the situation. It is not an exaggeration to say the situation is at a crisis level.
However, there has also been a lot of good news to share lately. Maine Gov. Janet Mills and the Legislature have made affordable housing a top priority, which was exemplified last month when the Governor signed a state budget that aggressively tackles the affordable housing gap. Avesta advocated strongly for two pieces of legislation in particular:
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The allocation of $70 million for the creation of affordable homes statewide through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Rural Affordable Rental Housing programs. These funds will help facilitate acquisition and construction where housing is most needed.
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The establishment of the Housing First Program at the state level to provide homes and services for chronically homeless people. This program, which will be funded by real estate transfer taxes, is estimated to bring in $10 to $12 million per year and will build on the success that Avesta has had in partnership with Preble Street over the past 18 years.
The state budget also addresses housing needs by funding emergency housing relief, the Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP) to help homeowners and renters pay electric bills, a pilot program to prevent student homelessness, and more.
This multipronged approach to address affordable housing needs for such a diverse population is unique — it will help create more housing, but it will also provide the resources necessary to help the most vulnerable so that they can thrive in their homes. The legislation truly addresses housing for everyone, from those who are experiencing chronic homelessness, to working-class individuals and families with low incomes, to older adults who need an affordable, safe place to call home in their retirement years. We applaud those who made this legislation possible, including Gov. Mills and her staff, the Maine Legislature, and the many individuals and organizations that lobbied for its passage.
But it’s also important to note that we are a long way from the finish line. The recent legislation will provide much-needed help, but it will not extinguish the need. We are optimistic that future legislative sessions will provide more resources, and we will continue to advocate for creative solutions at the municipal, state, and federal levels. We will not waver in our dedication to providing safe, quality, affordable homes and support services for our residents, both currently and in the future. To do this, we need your continued support.
This is not the end of our work to address the affordable housing crisis — it is the beginning.
Rebecca Hatfield, President & CEO
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Maine Gov. Janet Mills signs the final piece of a two-year state budget into law on July 11. The budget includes landmark investments in affordable housing. (Photo courtesy Office of Gov. Janet Mills) | |
More than 150 affordable homes on track to open by end of year | |
Workers apply siding to Village Commons, a 55-plus property in Scarborough, Maine. | |
Our real estate development is going full throttle, with several properties expected to be completed this fall and several more in the design or construction phases. | |
Porter Station in Portland and the first phase of River Turn in Conway, N.H., are both 80% complete and are expected to be finished in October. At Porter Station, workers are finishing up exterior tile, installing a brick sidewalk, and putting the finishing touches on the upper floors. Interior finishes at River Turn are scheduled for completion this month, and exterior landscaping and paving are in the final stages. | |
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Snow School in Fryeburg, Maine, is scheduled for completion in October, with permanent electrical power coming online in December. Exterior siding and interior drywall have been installed at Village Commons in Scarborough, which is on track for completion in November.
When completed, the above four properties will provide more than 150 safe, quality, affordable homes to Maine and New Hampshire.
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Wedgewood groundbreaking
(Photo courtesy Lewiston Sun Journal)
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A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July for Wedgewood in Lewiston, which will feature nine buildings with a total of 82 new homes.
Avesta Housing is developing the property in partnership with Lewiston Housing as part of the federal Choice Neighborhoods program. Maine Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins were among the dignitaries at the groundbreaking. Click here to read news coverage of this historic event.
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Municipal planning approvals have been secured for three additional properties: Dewitt (Choice Neighborhoods Phase 2) in Lewiston, Meadowview II in Gray, and Edgewater Village in Farmington. The approvals mean that these properties can now begin design development and move closer to construction starts.
Overall, Avesta Housing has more than 800 homes at various stages in the development pipeline as we seek to address the immense need for affordable housing and ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
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A crew with Hebert Construction works at Village Commons in Scarborough. Click below to view more photos of the construction on our website. | |
Community gardening co-op brings residents together | |
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“I’m going to spend the rest of my life here. This is my home, and I want it to look good.”
— Annmarie Wade
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At Foxwell in Kittery, Maine, a group of residents have formed a gardening cooperative to transform their outdoor living spaces into beautiful displays featuring flowers, greenery, lawn ornaments, bird houses, and more. It started with simple landscaping maintenance — raking leaves, picking up fallen branches, painting the wooden fence behind the property — and mushroomed from there.
Although Avesta’s property management team occasionally provides supplies such as seed packets and loam, most of the materials are provided by participating residents, and they do all of the planting, arranging, and maintenance themselves. More than half of the homes are decorated to some degree.
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“It makes them feel like they’re at home,” said Resident Service Coordinator Lindsey Avers. “They not just planting flowers — they’re raking, weeding, painting, and much more. They’re really passionate about it.”
For older adults, gardening is more than just a chance to grow edibles or beautify a space. It also provides numerous health benefits, including increased social engagement, higher self-esteem, and physical exercise that strengthens muscles while lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many Avesta properties provide raised beds or other gardening opportunities for residents. (Restrictions apply at most properties; residents should contact their property management staff for information.)
“You talk to your neighbors, you get your exercise, you get some sun – it’s a win-win all over,” said Annmarie Wade, one of the group’s organizers. “I’m not just sitting on my butt watching TV; I’m getting stuff done.”
In addition to Annmarie, core members of the gardening group include Patty Coulters, Bob Poliquin, Bill Goodman, Dawn Smart, Yvonne Sullivan, and Linda Machulis. In true community spirit, they help each other out as needed and decorate spaces for those who want to participate but have physical limitations that prevent them from doing so.
“I’m going to spend the rest of my life here. This is my home, and I want it to look good,” said Annmarie. “That’s why I do it.”
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For more information about available homes with Avesta Housing, click the button below. | |
Avesta wins Best Property Management Company award | |
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We are pleased to announce that Avesta Housing has been named Best Property Management Company in the Portland, Maine Best of 2023 Awards, presented by Bangor Savings Bank!
This award further exemplifies the hard work and dedication of our property management teams throughout the organization and their commitment to helping ensure that our residents receive the services they need while living in homes that are clean, safe, and well-maintained. The Portland, Maine Best of 2023 Awards are also based on public votes, and we are proud that you have chosen us. Thank you!
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News report chronicles asylum-seeking journey of Avesta staffer | |
Avesta Housing Maintenance Technician Edward Nsereko at work in Brick Hill, an Avesta affordable housing community in South Portland. (Photo courtesy News Center Maine) | |
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News Center Maine (Channel 6) recently profiled a member of our property management team, Edward Nsereko, in a news report on asylum seekers in Maine.
Edward and his family fled their home country, Uganda, and lived in a hotel before finding a home with Avesta. When Edward received his work permit, he decided to show his appreciation by helping other residents as an Avesta maintenance technician.
"I just enjoy using the tools and working. Sometimes I even forget that I have to go for lunch," Edward said.
Click below to watch the news report.
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Your support makes our work possible | |
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Avesta Housing provides almost 5,000 people with safe, quality, affordable homes in Maine and New Hampshire. But providing them with four walls and a roof over their heads is not enough. We also need to give them the resources they need to maintain housing stability. That’s why Avesta partners with multiple nonprofit organizations, foundations, and businesses to provide after-school programming, wellness education, English language classes, enrichment activities, and more.
We can’t do this alone — we require the continued financial support of donors such as yourself. Please join us today by clicking below and making a contribution.
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Avesta Housing's mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.
Our Mission: Avesta Housing improves lives and strengthens communities by promoting and providing quality affordable homes
for people in need.
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