Avesta launches $2M fundraising campaign to support senior housing

COURTESY / AVESTA HOUSING Avesta Housing last week announced the launch of a $2 million fundraising program to support the affordable housing needs of older adults. Seen here is Bartlett Woods, an affordable senior housing complex in Yarmouth co-owned by Yarmouth Senior Housing and Avesta Housing.

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By Staff

Avesta Housing has launched a $2 million fundraising program to support the affordable housing needs of older adults.

“The number of applicants on wait lists for our affordable senior properties is staggering, especially relative to the very few vacancies that become available annually,” Dana Totman, president and CEO of the nonprofit, said in a news release Friday. “Once these individuals have obtained a home, they often eventually require additional support services in order to age in place safely and with dignity. We all have a responsibility to step up and do more to help older adults in need.”

The fundraising program was publicly announced at a meeting of community leaders and partners on Nov. 13.

Avesta, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit provider of affordable housing that operates 2,700 apartments in Maine and New Hampshire. Last year, it received 4,046 household applications and yet was only able to provide homes to 373.

The upcoming $2 million, three-year campaign, "Silver Hearth Fund," will address three priorities:

• Develop new homes to expand the housing units available to low-income seniors.

• Provide essential support services and programs that will assist older adults in living safe, healthy and meaningful lives.

• Rehabilitate and modernize older Avesta properties so they may provide optimal safety and comfort for residents while operating more efficiently and effectively.

In the first 10 months of the fundraising effort, Avesta has received $800,000 in pledges and gifts from community partners, including Gorham Savings Bank, Bangor Savings Bank, Norway Savings Bank, KeyBank, Clark Insurance, Tom and Rhonda Gioia, Bank of America, Zachau Construction and Jim Otis.

About Avesta Housing

Avesta Housing is a nonprofit affordable housing provider with more than 45 years of experience as a leader in affordable housing development and property management in southern Maine and New Hampshire. The organization is headquartered in Portland and currently operates 98 affordable properties, 2,700 apartments and two assisted-living facilities. Avesta’s mission is to improve lives and strengthen communities by promoting and providing quality affordable homes for people in need. Its five areas of focus are advocacy, real estate development, property management, senior/assisted living and home ownership.