BRUNSWICK, Maine — To meet a growing need in the mid-coast region, Brunswick-based Tedford Housing looks to expand its services with a new emergency shelter.
Executive Director Andrew Lardie says the conversation about expanding from its current three buildings has been almost a decade in the making.
"Right now, what we know is that we are turning away 85 to 95 percent of the requests that come in for people who need a roof over their head," Lardie said.
Currently, Tedford Housing is the main provider of emergency shelter services within the Portland and Rockland area, according to the nonprofit.
"We know that when we can do a better job at meeting our mission, it benefits the quality of life for everyone living in all of those towns," Lardie added.
The $8.3 million dollar building would put all three of its existing buildings under one roof and is currently slated to be built along Thomas Point Road in Brunswick.
Earlier this month, the Brunswick Town Council donated $200,000 towards the project using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
"We're seeing, unfortunately, people that are evicted because of rent and the cost of housing that's gone up," Town Manager John Eldridge said. "It's a regional issue, they serve a regional population so again we're hopeful that people would respond to that."
With more than $2 million left to fundraise, Lardie hopes others will make investments in the project for folks struggling in the midcoast region and that they can break ground by spring of 2024.