New housing complex in Gray adds 26 affordable apartments for older residents

photo of the front of a new apartment complex

PHOTO / COURTESY AVESTA HOUSING Meadowview II affordable apartment complex in Gray is fully leased.

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Avesta Housing has added 26 apartments to its affordable housing options in Gray, with the opening this week of Meadowview II, for people aged 55 and older.

The $9.8 million development provides one-and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 500 to 760 square feet, and features sustainable design to reduce energy costs. The new 22,000-square-foot complex joins Avesta’s Meadowview campus at 16 Hancock St., where the nonprofit manages a 20-unit earlier build.

Apartments at Meadowview II were made available to residents whose income does not exceed $54,540 for an individual and $62,340 for a two-person household.

Rent for a one-bedroom unit. is $1,461. For a two-bedroom, the rent is $1,753. Rentals include heat, hot water, electric and air conditioning.

All units have been leased.

“Finding affordable housing in Maine is challenging for all ages, but for older adults on limited incomes, it’s extremely difficult,” said Jennifer Hawkins, president and CEO of Avesta Housing, which is based in Portland.

“Having a quality, affordable place to live supports their health by removing financial stressors and unsafe living conditions. Meadowview II and other Avesta Housing homes for older adults allow them to age in their communities with dignity," she added.

Town Manager Michael Foley said: “Meadowview II represents more than just new housing in the town of Gray,” said “It’s a meaningful investment in the dignity, independence and well-being of our older residents.”

The team on the Meadowview II project included South Portland-based Optimum Construction, Portsmouth, N.H.-based JSA Design architects and civil engineer Pinchin Consulting LLC’s Portland office.

Other Avesta housing projects in Gray

Avesta developed the original 20-unit Meadowview complex in 1974, which provides affordable, garden-style apartments for ages 62 and older and adults with disabilities.

Avesta assumed ownership of Meadowview from Gray Senior Housing in 2020 and purchased an adjacent seven-acre parcel in 2022 to build Meadowview II. The Meadowview campus is within walking distance to the public library and shops and services in the center of town.

In 2024, Avesta also launched a home ownership program in Gray by purchasing and renovating two adjoining single-family homes on Collyer Brook Road. The 940-square-foot, three-bedroom houses were made available for purchase this past July to qualifying households at $218,000, less than half the market rate for Cumberland County.

Avesta Housing, headquartered in Portland, is the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England. The organization operates 100 affordable properties, more than 3,000 apartments and two assisted living facilities for more than 4,000 people. An additional 1,100 homes are in the development pipeline in six communities in Maine and in New Hampshire.

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