Related NYC-based developer looks to spend more than $20 million to renovate former Lockwood Mill in Waterville The City Council, meanwhile, granted some modifications to a plan for a 38-unit apartment building on Western Avenue that allows that project to move forward for consideration by the Planning Board. The Augusta Planning Board in recent days gave its approval to the Park Street project. This includes a proposed 32-unit workforce housing community on Park Street in Augusta and a 340-unit development for older adults on Malta Street.” “At Augusta Housing, we currently have more than 100 units of affordable housing in some phase of pre-development. “It’s an unprecedented time but the good news is that the crisis is being met with equally unprecedented levels of political and financial support from the government at every level,” Olson said. She said she has heard about displaced, working families staying in cars, with rental assistance in hand, but no place to go. The increases have pushed some residents out of stable housing and, for the first time this winter, there was visible homelessness in the city, with some sleeping outside in tents during the harshest months, according to Olson. It’s one of several projects in Waterville trying to address the lack of affordable housing in the region.
in Waterville into apartments for seniors and disabled adults with families, with some emergency units for the homeless. The Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter is working to convert this abandoned building at 8 Highwood St. Olson noted that in-migration is a “great thing” and something the area has for years been promoting as a way to grow the work force in a rapidly aging state. That need rose to dire levels during the pandemic for several reasons, including inflation and the fact that many people were moving to Maine to escape more populated areas, she said. A ‘grave’ housing situationĪugusta also has taken a number of steps to address its lack of affordable places to live.Īmanda Olson, executive director of the Augusta Housing Authority who also serves on the board of directors for the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, said there has long been a shortage of housing in the Augusta area. It also advises them on land use and control issues, helps them develop business plans, counsels them on planning and permitting processes, and identifies funding sources. His office helps developers and communities by pitching developable site options to them, creating budgets and funding opportunities for infrastructure such as public water extensions to support housing. The Growth Council sees housing as economic development and communities that don’t have plans to create or support new and adequate housing will not be able to grow and thrive, he said. Related It is easier than ever to stay caught up on with our newsletter The projects are in varying stages of development and represent a mix of housing types but most are affordable or workforce housing tied to local average median income, Donegan said in an email. Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation and economic development for the Central Maine Growth Council, said his office is tracking nine housing projects in the works in Waterville, totaling 305 potential new units. “Of course, right now with the exploding costs, many moderate income individuals and families are also struggling to find housing that they can afford,” said Michele Prince, chief operating officer for the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, which works on housing issues. While several projects are underway to address the problem, the high cost of construction materials is hampering some efforts.
Gardiner, for instance, needs 206 units, including 109 for families and 97 for older people. And the demand also persists for several other communities in the region. In Waterville, 962 housing units are needed, including 497 family units and 465 units for older adults in Augusta, 870 units are needed, including 568 family dwellings and 302 units for older adults.
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