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Updated: September 17, 2025

Rumford gaining 18 affordable, energy-efficient apartments

three apartment buildings under construction PROVIDED PHOTO Dooryard LLC is constructing three modular apartment units in Rumford.
By Tina Fischer

Kara Wilbur’s Dooryard LLC is continuing to bring housing to the Oxford County town of Rumford. Wilbur has been developing condos at Black Mountain and now has under construction 18 affordable apartments near downtown.

The project, at 986 Prospect Ave., includes three multi-unit buildings — two eight-unit and one duplex — that Wilbur described as “Maine-inspired” and designed to fit the scale of the surrounding neighborhood. 

The buildings are modular, built off-site by KBS Builders of South Paris. Dooryard, based in Rumford, is providing on-site general contracting. 

The apartment complex is on a lot acquired by the town of Rumford through tax foreclosure after a motel on the property burned down, and was identified as a key location for infill development. 

“This approach aligns with a broader trend across Maine, where towns are embracing more intentional development to meet housing demand, maintain rural character, and make better use of public funds," Wilbur said.

"This project would not have been possible without the town's commitment to strategic redevelopment and innovative state programs that support rural housing needs," she added. "By building on a previously developed site, we are able to provide high-quality housing in the right place, near jobs, adjacent to an existing neighborhood, and among a really nice community of people here in Rumford."

The development will help address an affordable housing shortage in the area, Wilbur said, by providing homes for local workers, downsizing seniors, and employees of area businesses including Sunday River ski resort and ND Paper mill.

A  2023 study found that Maine needs to build 84,000 homes by 2030 to meet demand; Oxford County alone needs to add 1,900 units.

The project is financed by MaineHousing through the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program. All 18 units are restricted to residents earning no more than 80% of the area median income, which is $68,000 for a two-person household. 

Wilbur said the one-bedroom, 400-square-foot units will rent for $1,275 per month including utilities and are required under the funding program to remain affordable for 45 years. 

The buildings will be energy-efficient with electric heat pumps and rooftop solar, installed by South Portland-based Revision Energy. Woodhull, with offices in Portland and Brunswick, is the project architect and Haley Ward, based in Saco, handled site design.

Dooryard has developed other modular housing projects in the state, financed under the same MaineHousing program, including 55 Weston Ave. in Madison — with Sam Hight and Brian Eng — and 16 Mills Road in Newcastle with Rob Nelson.

The Prospect Avenue apartments are projected to be completed by November.   

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