AUGUSTA, Maine — A subdivision of affordable homes in the Augusta area is drawing new interest in Maine's tight housing market.
Kennebec Valley Community Action spearheaded the effort to build the homes in Cony Village. The agency said they provide "efficient, low-maintenance ownership opportunities" for low and mixed-income families in the capital area. The development is set on 16 acres of green space with walking trails and easy access to the Augusta region.
"We cannot build fast enough," Dave Pelton said, director of real estate development for KVCAP. "Every single person that moves in here is having a hard time finding somewhere else to live."
Pelton said other options are either too expensive, inconvenient, or just not the right size for first-time homebuyers or people on fixed incomes.
"These homes are for people who are otherwise in a gap," Pelton said. "It's part of our mission to make sure things stay affordable for the neighborhood and people at large."
He cited statistics from the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition that for every unit of affordable housing built, two buyers are interested. Pelton said KVCAP is trying to build as many of these as possible to not fall behind as demand increases with an already sparse supply.
"Coupled with the fact that there isn't a lot on the market—we're lacking in inventory—it's been really exciting to have so many new builds here," Lori Dube said, co-owner of Sprague & Curtis real estate. "The need for something like this is great."
Dube said two homes are under construction now, with plans for more.
Building these homes has been a challenge, with prices for supplies and labor both increasing, Pelton said. In March, KVCAP received $259,000 in federal funds to build more affordable housing.
The state agency, MaineHousing, has two programs to help people pay for homes. The Homeowner Assistance Fund is meant to help those who are behind on mortgage or utility payments. The First-Generation Homebuyer Program provides up to $10,000 in down payment relief to eligible borrowers.