40 Under 40: Nate Howes helps middle-income families find homes

Photo / Tim Greenway Nate Howes, 34: Senior development officer, Avesta Housing

Write a Comment

Nate Howes, 34 Senior development officer, Avesta Housing Read all about the 40 Under 40 honorees
More Information

Greatest achievement: My greatest achievement has been combining multiple partners and funders into a 166-unit mixed -income campus in Westbrook. The project combines middle-income rental, affordable 55-plus rental and middle-income homeownership opportunities in three different buildings on a 3.27-acre parcel. I had to contend with three different ownership structures, capital stacks and operational structures, which was a massive challenge but seeing it come together has been gratifying. I’m most interested in continuing this work and providing homeownership opportunities to middle-income households, since there is simply no supply of reasonably priced houses or condos for young individuals or couples starting out.

Passion project: My passion is that I love knowledge and learning in general. I’m always trying to learn something new, and I need to be exposed to new information or challenges to be content.

Lightbulb moment: When I was first hired by MaineHousing and realized I liked both the mission and challenge of developing affordable housing. I had never intended to be involved in real estate or housing production, but everything works out for a reason, and I really like the path I’ve chosen.

Favorite TV show: “The Office”

Personal hero: My dad is my personal hero. He’s always been my biggest supporter and best friend. He’s whom I go to for advice on everything from work to life.

Best way to recharge: Explore Maine and Portland with my wife and hang out with our cat.

Maine’s biggest challenge: Maine’s biggest challenges are the age of our population and our housing shortage. We desperately need to build more housing, all types, throughout the state. I believe that Maine will become a destination, if current climate trends continue and we need to be prepared.

Dinner party guests: Mark Twain — he was such an influential author in my childhood and middle school. I loved “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and distinctly remember the Wishbone version on PBS. Captain Francis Crozier — an Irish officer of the Royal Navy and captain of the HMS Terror during an expedition in the Arctic to find the Northwest Passage. Their crew got stuck in the ice and disappeared. I would love to hear his story. Rosalie Howes — I lost my mother Rosalie when I was 17 and I would love to see her again and talk about my life and let her know how much she did for me.