Safe and stable homes are key to the health and safety of our Maine communities. When facing issues like affordable housing shortages, lead paint poisoning, and homelessness, it’s easy to get bogged down by the idea that these are such big problems that we can’t possibly do anything about them.
The reality is that there are solutions - and we're grateful to our partners who make those solutions possible throughout the year.
This Thanksgiving season, we give thanks for those who work with us to ensure safe, warm, and affordable homes for all Mainers. Thank you for your tireless efforts, your commitment to a safe and healthy Maine, and your dedication to meeting the many needs in our communities.
From all of us at MaineHousing - a safe and happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

What Home Means to Maine Families
In honor of our 50th anniversary, MaineHousing staff worked with Maine Head Start on an art project called "What Home Means to Me." We asked Head Start families to draw what home means to them - and they delivered!
Heartwarming, humorous, and poignant in only the way toddlers can be, Head Start families truly showed us what home means to them. Here are a few examples of what home means to Maine families.
"What home means to me
is my family."
"My home is wtih my momma
and me." - Levi
"Home means sleeping in our beds comfy & warm." - Addison & Ashley
"Home means my family 
Mom, Dad, Khole, Caylee, and Daisy Dog." - Madison

MaineHousing Receives Two

Community Partner Awards
On November 5, we were excited to receive the Partner of the Year Award from Downeast Community Partners (DCP) in Ellsworth, AND on November 20, we were honored by Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) with their annual Community Partner award! 
Both of these agencies administer a number of our programs, including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Weatherization, and Home Repair. They also own and manage multi-family and supportive housing projects throughout Central and Downeast Maine.
We're grateful to work with such great partners - we can't achieve our mission without the hard work and support of organizations like Downeast Community Partners, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, and others. Thank you for all you do! 

MaineHousing Launches

Heat Pump Program
In June 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed “An Act To Transform Maine's Heat Pump Market To Advance Economic Security and Climate Objectives,” which established the goal of installing 100,000 heat pumps in Maine by 2025. 
MaineHousing committed to this state heat pump initiative, and we launched our contribution to these efforts in October 2019. As funding allows, MaineHousing will pay for the purchase and installation of heat pumps for people who own their home; who are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program and Central Heating Improvement Program; and whose homes are good candidates for heat pumps as secondary heat sources. Our goal is 10,000 heat pumps by 2025.
MaineHousing worked closely with Efficiency Maine and several Community Action Agencies to develop and launch this program. The program is administered locally by Community Action Agencies. 

MaineHousing Launches

New Grant Program
MaineHousing is excited to announce the new Community Solutions Grant Program!
MaineHousing’s 2019 Community Solutions Grant provides matching grants to municipalities that are taking a lead role in creating or preserving affordable housing in their communities and have an identified and achievable housing solution. The grants are flexible and locally driven; each successful municipality determines how best to address their affordable housing needs. Municipalities may request up to $500,000 in Community Solutions Grant funds for the creation or preservation of affordable housing units. Click the image below for the request for proposals.

Maine Designated "Age-Friendly"
Last month, Maine joined five other states in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. MaineHousing is part of the steering committee which will help promote collaboration, and plan and implement strategies to address Maine's aging populations' needs.
As housing needs among older Mainers increase and change, MaineHousing looks forward to doing our part to create and support age-friendly communities!

MaineHousing's Board of Commissioners will meet on December 17 in the MaineHousing Board Room at 353 Water Street, Augusta.
MaineHousing Homeownership:
(as of 11/15/19)

Purchases: 991
The total value of the loans purchased so far is $135,542,312.

There are 337 units in the pipeline at $46,644,649 in value.
Maine Home Sales Numbers:
In October 2019, 1,845 units sold, which is up .07% from October 2018.
Median sales price was $224,900, which is up 4.6% from October 2018.
There were an estimated 7,970 single family units listed as of mid-October 2019 for sale which, based on September sales numbers, would be four months of inventory.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
As of November 12, 2019 for Program Year 2020:
Total applications: 18,730
Pending: 13,204
Confirmed Eligible: 4,149 

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