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V O L . X X X I N O. X V J U LY 1 4 , 2 0 2 5 18 H E A LT H C A R E / W E L L N E S S F O C U S While demand is rising exponen- tially, construction costs and rising interest rates are hindering the indus- try according to Bunker. "We have to figure out how to manage our construction costs in Maine. at's our take. Our biggest housing challenge is not so much fig- uring out how to crunch out units, but how to create the infrastructure that can crunch out the units," he says. Designed for dignity and care A decade ago, Amanda Gilliam worked at the Kennebunk elemen- tary school she once attended, after it had been converted into Park Street Apartments. Now, as Avesta Housing's vice president of property management and resident services, Gilliam recalls how happy local residents were to have the opportunity to remain in the com- munity where they grew up. As the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England, Avesta Housing focuses on repurposing historical landmarks so that senior housing developments blend seamlessly into the character of the communities. eir portfo- lio is comprised of 100 properties in Maine and New Hampshire with more than half of them dedicated to 55-plus communities. "All of us want to live near the people that we love, near our friends, our faith communities, which is why it is critical to have affordable older adult housing in communities all over Maine and not just in one area," Gilliam says. Gilliam has seen first-hand older adults' lives suddenly take a turn when a spouse dies or a medical event hap- pens, and they are no longer able to afford their homes. Out of the 2,700 applications that Avesta Housing pro- cessed last year, 40% were for house- holds 55 years and older. "It's estimated that Maine will need up to 45,000 affordable homes by 2030 which is only five years from now," she says. Avesta Housing also offers assisted living at the Inn at Village Square in Gorham and 75 State Street in Portland. State Street is a 503C community that has been serving older Mainers for over 170 years and is currently undergoing a $14 million renovation. Katy Smith, Avesta Housing's vice president of senior living, says that State Street's longstanding reputation and financial accessibility makes it unique. "e longevity of our community sets us apart, as well as our not- for-profit status, we are one of the few communities that after a pri- vate pay requirement participate in MaineCare, so our residents that meet the two year private pay requirement are able to stay in our community, as opposed to being asked to move on to a MaineCare community," she says. Longer living means that the com- munity must be able to tailor their services to people from 60 years old to over 100. In fact, the State Street loca- tion even had mother and son residents, both of whom needed assisted living. e senior housing crisis is here, but Smith wants the focus to remain on the dignity of seniors throughout the state, especially those in assisted living. Time is precious, especially for Maine's older community members who worked hard and lived full lives. "We really think about this is the day, we're not waiting for tomorrow to do the thing. If a resident wants to do this art class or take a trip, let's get on it, because we have today to make this happen," Smith says about her mentality for serving residents. "My team has a sense of urgency in terms of once today's gone, it's gone, so let's make it a good one." Sloane M. Perron , a freelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz RECENTLY COMPLETED SENIOR DEVELOPMENTS Stroudwater Apartments, Westbrook 55 units of senior affordable housing 55-plus (all 1BR units) Completed in September 2024 Honorable Mention for MEREDA Notable Projects 2024 Stacy M. Symbol Apartments, Westbrook 60 units of senior affordable housing 55-plus (all 1BR units) Completed October 2024 MEREDA Notable Projects 2024 Recipient as featured in Mainebiz Millbrook Estates, Westbrook 100 units of senior housing age 62-plus Occupied Rehab: $10 million in capital and energy efficiency improvements Completed in July 2024 Thatcher Brook Apartments, Biddeford 40 units of family affordable housing (mix of 1BR, 2BR, & 3RB units) Completion in fall 2026/winter 2027 Meadow Ridge Apartments, Biddeford 36 units of senior affordable housing 55-plus (all 1BR units) Anticipated completion in 2027 Quebec Commons, Biddeford 40 units of senior affordable housing and 5 market rate units 55-plus (all 1BR) Completion: 2027 On the site of the former MERC facility in Biddeford's Mill District The Acadia, Biddeford 40 units of senior affordable housing and 5 market rate units 55-plus (all 1BR) Anticipated completion in 2028 On the site of the former MERC facility in Biddeford's Mill District Andrew School Redevelopment, Windham 35 Units of new housing through a joint development partnership with Great Falls Construction 18 units of affordable senior housing 55-plus by WDC 17 units of market rate housing by Great Falls Construction Comletion in 2028 Stroudwater Meadows, Westbrook Multi-phased partnership with JB Brown & Sons to build approximately 700 units of housing adjacent to Rock Row and the Westbrook Middle School Includes 100 units of affordable family housing by WDC over 2-3 phases Anticipated construction will start as soon as 2026; Completion over several years. S O U R C E : Westbrook Development Corp. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F AV E S TA H O U S I N G P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F AV E S TA H O U S I N G R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F AV E S TA H O U S I N G Katy Smith, vice president of senior living at Avesta Housing Amanda Gilliam, vice president of property management and resident services at Avesta Housing 75 State Street in Portland is undergoing a $14 million renovation.

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