Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced more than $6 million in federal funding for affordable housing initiatives in Maine’s First Congressional District, approved today in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill for fiscal year 2024 by the full House of Representatives. The Community Project Funding secured by Pingree includes $2,000,000 for Preble Street; $1,540,000 for SKILLS Inc. Housing; $1,466,279 for Avesta Housing; $1,000,000 for Fair Tide’s Mainspring housing and social services resource hub; and $420,000 for Portland Housing Authority. Pingree, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured a total of $16,747,043 for 15 First District community projects in the 2024 government funding bill. 

“Nearly half of all tenants in Maine cannot afford rent. That staggering statistic illustrates the scale of the affordable housing crisis, which is putting a tremendous strain on our communities,” said Pingree. “As rents and everyday costs continue to present challenges, it’s more important than ever for organizations like Avesta, SKILLS Inc., Preble Street, Fair Tide Inc., and Portland Housing Authority to have the support they need to maintain and expand their essential operations. That’s why I fought so strongly to fund these projects through the FY2024 Appropriations process. From ensuring barrier-free, 24-hour shelter access for homeless youth, to developing affordable housing units across Southern Maine communities, these community projects will directly help ease the crisis our friends and neighbors are experiencing as we work towards long-term solutions to the nationwide affordable housing crisis.”

The funded projects Pingree secured are as follows:

$2,000,000 for Preble Street’s Joe’s Place Teen Shelter and Center

The funding will be used to construct Joe’s Place, a center and shelter that will provide 24/7, barrier-free access for runaway and homeless youth. Joe’s Place will provide emergency shelter and connect youth to supportive services that reduce chronic homelessness, including long-term supportive housing, housing vouchers, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing. Providing a safe and secure environment for teens reduces the risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system, reducing costs associated with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

$1,540,000 for SKILLS Inc. Affordable Housing for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The funding will be used to support the construction and renovation of two affordable housing properties in Waterville to prevent the displacement of 12 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project accomplishes federal and state goals for access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services and shortens the gap in age-friendly affordable housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.

$1,466,279 for Avesta Affordable Housing

The funding will facilitate the acquisition costs associated with the new construction of a 30-unit Housing First development in Downtown Portland, helping reduce chronic homelessness. Once formerly homeless individuals secure housing and support, data show that they spend less time in jail, interact less with the police, take fewer ambulance trips, and spend less time in the emergency room, reductions that result in taxpayer savings.

$1,000,000 for Fair Tide’s Mainspring Housing and Social Services Hub

The funding will be used to construct Mainspring, a social services hub in Kittery. The project will help bring individuals and families out of poverty by providing easy access to comprehensive programs and services in one centralized location, including a food pantry, affordable housing, and comprehensive case management. These services offer long-term stability and empower individuals to become engaged and contribute to the community. The hub will also relieve pressures on publicly funded entities, such as police and fire departments.

$420,000 for the Portland Housing Authority’s Affordable Housing Project

The funding will be used to construct an eight-unit homeownership development in the East Deering neighborhood of Portland, with six units reserved for households earning at or below 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). The homes will provide a bridge for many working residents to transition out of public housing or other rental housing to an income-restricted affordable homeownership opportunity.

"Through Mainspring, this significant investment of federal funds is going to vastly improve our social service delivery model and have deep and long-lasting benefits for individuals, families and communities,” said Emily Flinkstrom, Fair Tide Executive Director. “This project has received incredible support from the local, county, state, and now, federal level – an indication of the urgent need to bring this resource to life." 

“We are overjoyed at the federal appropriation for affordable housing in Maine, and look forward to its passage in Congress,” said Avesta Housing President & CEO Rebecca Hatfield. “These funds will help Avesta develop dozens of permanent homes for people who are experiencing chronic homelessness. This new development will employ the site-based Housing First model, which provides permanent housing with 24/7 on-site support services and has proven effective in establishing long-term housing stability. The need for supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Maine is at an unprecedented level, and we greatly appreciate Rep. Pingree’s support in securing these funds.” 

“Preble Street thanks Congresswoman Pingree and the Maine Congressional delegation for securing this critical funding for Joe’s Place, a state-of-the-art facility in Portland, that will provide 24/7 support to homeless and runaway youth,” said Mark Swann, Executive Director. “By bringing the Preble Street Teen Shelter and Teen Center together under one roof with Joe’s Place, Maine’s youth will finally have the daily stability that they deserve. For young people who have experienced the trauma of homelessness, there is nothing more important than this stability and safety and we are grateful for Congresswoman Pingree’s support.”

"With homeownership becoming increasingly challenging, this CPF request will directly benefit households earning at or below 120% Area Median Income who are seeking homeownership in Portland's East Deering neighborhood,” said Jay Waterman, Director of Real Estate Development at Portland Housing Authority. “Portland Housing Authority looks forward to expanding the Front Street community by continuing to build diverse housing that is energy efficient and healthy." 

"We wouldn't be able to do this project without the help of these funds,” said Kristin Overton, SKILLS Inc. Executive Director. “This rebuild will allow us to not only keep the people who live there engaged in the Waterville community, but it will also allow SKILLS to offer housing that meets the aging-in-place needs of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities." 

In addition to these projects, Pingree secured $1.2 million in grant funding for affordable housing efforts in Maine’s First Congressional District through the fiscal year 2023 Appropriations bill. 

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