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Updated: May 29, 2023

Tedford Housing to build $8.3M emergency housing site in Brunswick

Courtesy / Tedford Housing Tedford Housing is planning to build an $8.3 million emergency housing building.
By Laurie Schreiber

Tedford Housing announced a $500,000 donation to its capital campaign to assist with the construction of a new 17,568-square-foot emergency housing building that’s expected to expand capacity and allow for critical support services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Tedford has raised $4.3 million of the $8.3 million needed for the project, and fundraising continues. Through a combination of philanthropy, federal and state funding, and creative financing, Tedford expects to break ground in 2024.

Tedford, a Brunswick nonprofit, provides emergency housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, permanent supportive housing for previously homeless families and individuals, and homeless prevention services. Its primary service area is northern Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties. 

The soaring housing market and pandemic put many people on the streets. The number of people experiencing homelessness statewide more than doubled, according to a survey published in 2022 by the Maine State Housing Authority. 

In 2021, limited space caused Tedford to turn away 284 adults and 74 families. The nonprofit only had beds for 9% of families and 26% of single adults.

The new building will replace Tedford’s aging and poorly configured existing buildings, increase the capacity of its emergency housing program and better coordinate case management and community resources.

New housing

Tedford acquired just over three acres on Thomas Point Road, near Cook’s Corner.

Early donations enabled the property purchase and preliminary planning. Further financing for construction is expected to come from donations, grants and short-term loans.

The project received a $1.5 million allocation from Cumberland County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds and $362,000 from the Maine State Housing Authority.

When completed, the building, located on the northeast side of Thomas Point Road in Brunswick, will incorporate separate, secure wings for adult and family emergency housing as well as administrative and case management space. 

The 17,568-square-foot building will include 10 family apartment units, four more than the current units. Each will have four beds, as well as living and dining spaces. The adult wing will include shared dormitory spaces that will provide beds for a maximum of 24 people, an increase of 8 beds, as well as a shared kitchen, dining area and living room. The facility will replace Tedford’s Cumberland Street property as well as leased space on Federal Street in Brunswick.

“We know that one of the more significant barriers to health is the lack of housing, whether temporary or permanent,” said Cindy Wade, president of LincolnHealth and co-chair of the committee. “Tedford is the only emergency housing resource serving Lincoln County, and we are excited about the potential of enhanced access for our community.”

Andrew Lardie, interim executive director at Tedford, called the recent donation a continuation of a deep partnership with local healthcare providers. 

“Tedford’s properties are located across five towns, so local health care facilities are critical to our ability to help people get back on their feet during hard times, and then stay housed,” Lardie said. “We couldn’t do it without coordination and care from the healthcare system.”

The facility incorporates separate, secure wings for the adult and family emergency housing facilities with a total of 64 emergency housing beds. The family apartment units will contain four beds each, as well as living and dining spaces in each unit. The adult wing will include shared dormitory spaces that will provide beds for a maximum of 24 individuals. The building will provide a kitchen, dining area and living room for guests in the dormitory style rooms.

The building also includes space for case management and administrative offices, conference and meeting rooms, along with a staff break room, mechanical room and storage space. The facility will be staffed 24 hours a day.

The project received final site plan and conditional use approvals from the town of Brunswick’s planning board in January 2022. It is finalizing construction documents.

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1 Comments

Anonymous
May 30, 2023

Great news! It's important to note that this donation came from the local hospital (Midcoast Medical Center). This is not a "government project". It still needs strong support from generous folks who care about housing their neighbors!

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