Dawn Wade knows her place is cluttered, with knickknacks, plants, food containers and artwork covering almost every square inch of her studio apartment in Portland. But it’s hers, something that seemed far out of reach when she was homeless six years ago. “This is home to me. It’s a community here. I don’t know where
John Welch was homeless for nine months before moving into Hillside at Village Square, a 27-unit subsidized apartment building in Gorham that Avesta Housing opened in January. It was a rough period. A breakup left the disabled former construction worker struggling to find an apartment in a tight housing market made worse by the COVID-19
Avesta Housing President & CEO Rebecca Hatfield is featured in the latest episode of The Boulos Beat, presented by The Boulos Company of Portland. In a nearly hour-long interview, Rebecca talks about the people who inspired her, transitioning into her current role, the housing shortage and what Avesta is doing to address it, and much
Charlene knows what it’s like to need a helping hand. She raised six children by herself when her husband died at a young age. As a nurse’s aide for York County Health Services, she oftentimes cared for lower-income older adults in their homes. “I even washed their feet,” she said, proudly. At 90, Charlene is
Bethany Jensen holds up a photo and asks the class to identify the object shown. “A ball,” responds one of the students. “Yes! Very good!” Bethany says. “But what kind of ball?” Mutterings from the class. No clear response. Bethany: “It’s a football!” The mutterings turn to expressions of surprise — and of confusion. “It’s
Avesta Housing recently partnered with League of Women Voters (LWV) of Maine to help Avesta residents register to vote in the upcoming midterm election. From mid-September to Oct. 18, volunteers from LWV canvassed door-to-door at Avesta properties throughout Maine, distributing nonpartisan election information and instructions on how to register. The majority of residents welcomed the canvassers
Inflation hits lower-income populations the hardest. When the price of groceries increases dramatically, people who are already struggling to buy basic necessities are in danger of going hungry. Avesta Housing has formed partnerships with numerous food banks to help ensure that residents who are food insecure receive the help they need. One of the oldest
CONWAY, NH — Avesta Housing celebrated its first affordable housing development in Mount Washington Valley 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
One of the unique aspects of Deering Place, Avesta Housing’s new affordable housing development in downtown Portland, is the use of art to decorate interior and exterior space. Several local artists provided work to bring Deering closer to the pulse of the community and make it a warm, welcoming home to residents. Among the more
Applications are being accepted for the annual Avesta Housing scholarship. The educational scholarship is open to Avesta Housing residents who are enrolling in a secondary education program — such as college, graduate school, trade school, or certificate programs — in the next 12 months. The deadline for applications is May 9. Winners will be
