Western Maine Community Action will get nearly $7 million in funds for affordable housing projects. The award, distributed via MaineHousing, is one of three grants using American Rescue Plan funds to provide affordable housing.

Western Maine Community Action will use the funding to create affordable housing and shelter space in Franklin County.

“This project will support those experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing housing instability by expanding affordable housing units and emergency shelter services in Franklin County at a time when the families we work with are unable to acquire any apartment at any price point,” WMCA Family and Health Service Director Kobi Perry stated.

MaineHousing issued grants to the agency, along with a community action agency in Bangor and two nonprofits fighting homelessness in Kittery. All three awards totaled just over $13.2 million. 

Western Maine Community Action estimates the funding will pay for 74 new units of supportive housing overall, and new non-congregate shelter space in Farmington.

“The agencies and organizations receiving these funds put forward the best and most innovative proposals that will help make sure these valuable federal resources are used as they are intended to help shelter and support vulnerable Maine residents,” said MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan. “We all know that putting a stable roof over people’s heads is a key step towards all other wellbeing.”

The agency started its homeless assistance program in 2021 and has served more than 190 people so far. Its emergency rental assistance program has housed more than 710 rental households in Franklin County since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency’s affordable housing and homeless plan includes 31 new affordable apartments of various sizes and three shelter bedrooms with green space and laundry facilities. The agency hopes the project will begin housing people before the fall of 2023.