Locating Affordable Housing Options

 Published Date: January 7, 2019

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Gov. Mills signs bill as Lori Parham of AARP Maine and other advocates look on.

On Tuesday, January 15th, AARP Maine held a news conference in the State House Hall of Flags to celebrate the release of Senior Housing Bond funds earmarked for older Mainers in need of affordable housing. Governor Janet Mills spoke at the news conference, saying: “It is time we build more affordable housing for seniors just as the voters intended,” Mills said, noting that nearly 70 percent of voters approved the bonding package. “Today we proudly move forward in our goal of ensuring all Maine seniors can live safely with dignity and comfort in the homes and communities they love.”
Maine’s senior housing shortage is at a crisis point. Over 9,000 older Mainers have been waiting for affordable housing options in their communities. The Senior Housing Bond will enable the building of new, affordable homes for older Mainers and dedicate funds to home repair and weatherization of existing homes, some of the oldest in the country.

AARP Maine and other advocates look on as Gov. Mills signs the
Senior Housing Bond Release.

Sammee Quong, an AARP Maine Volunteer Advocate, spoke at the news conference which was attended by over 200 She spoke to the crowd about her dear friend, Lorraine, who was unable to remain in her own residence because, as she aged, she could no longer manage to climb stairs. She once fell while Sammee was with her and was clearly in danger of serious injury if she remained where she was. “Thanks to a move into senior housing, she is now in a less expensive home that is on one floor which will enable her to live independently for years to come,” said Sammee.

On behalf of our 230,000 members in Maine, and the 63 communities who have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, AARP thanks Governor Mills for releasing the Bond, Senator David Burns and Speaker Mark Eves for their leadership on the original bill, and every legislator and advocate who worked to make release of the Senior Housing Bond a reality.

Jane Margesson, AARP Maine Communications Director
Address: 53 Baxter Blvd, Portland.
Phone: 1-866-554-5380
Email: jmargesson@aarp.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aarpmaine
Twitter: www.twitter.com/aarpmaine
Website: www.aarp.org/me