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Report suggests changes to local zoning to expand affordable housing

PORTLAND — A surging population and highly-competitive market continues to drive up the cost of housing in Maine. Despite flurries of developments throughout the state, housing advocates have seen demand far out-pace available supply of affordable units. “Fundamentally I think what we have in our state is a mismatch of the housing we have is

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Brick Hill Program for children in low-income areas may be here to stay

LEWISTON — The developers behind a proposed senior housing project at the former Martel Elementary School say the project is moving forward after securing key financing. The proposed 44-unit senior housing redevelopment would reuse the aged school building at 880 Lisbon St., which permanently closed in 2019 before the new Connors Elementary School opened. Project

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Dana Totman announces retirement from Avesta Housing

Dana Totman has announced his retirement as president and CEO of Avesta Housing, effective later this year. A lifelong Mainer, Totman has served as president and CEO for nearly 22 years, during which the nonprofit affordable housing organization has undergone tremendous growth. Under his leadership, the number of staff has increased from 60 to 300,

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After-school program launched at Brick Hill

SOUTH PORTLAND — Avesta Housing and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine (BGCSM) have partnered to provide a unique after-school program in the Brick Hill neighborhood of South Portland that, if successful, may be expanded to other communities across southern Maine. Two days a week, staff from BGCSM provide on-site after-school programming to children

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Former Martel school redevelopment inches closer to reality

LEWISTON — The developers behind a proposed senior housing project at the former Martel Elementary School say the project is moving forward after securing key financing. The proposed 44-unit senior housing redevelopment would reuse the aged school building at 880 Lisbon St., which permanently closed in 2019 before the new Connors Elementary School opened. Project

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NBT Bank donates $25,000 to provide affordable housing for seniors

PORTLAND, Maine — NBT Bank has donated $25,000 to Avesta Housing’s Silver Hearth Fund to help provide affordable housing and services for older adults in Maine and New Hampshire. Avesta provides safe, affordable quality homes to more than 4,500 people each year, half of whom are ages 55 and older. Still, the need for affordable

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First phase of Lewiston’s Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment moves ahead

LEWISTON, Maine — The first phase of construction for Lewiston’s Choice Neighborhoods initiative is closer to reality after receiving additional funding. The city and its development partners, including Avesta Housing, were awarded MaineHousing tax credits toward the first of three major sites – a 74-unit mixed-income development between Pine, Walnut, Bartlett and Pierce streets. Click

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Avesta awarded almost $20 million in equity and subsidy funding

Avesta has been awarded two 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards and four Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Affordable Housing Program (AHP) awards. This represents almost $20 million in equity and subsidy funding that will help build much-needed affordable housing in Maine. The developments that received awards are: Village Commons in Scarborough

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