Restoring Homes and Keeping Them Affordable

The Kennebec Valley Community Action Program's (KVCAP) Affordable Housing Department, in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Maine State Housing Authority, have created a pilot program to replace severely deteriorated homes, where rehabilitation is not cost-effective, for homeowners in rural Somerset County. The Rural Somerset County Replacement Housing Program (RSCRHP) is funded by HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development Grant Program ($500,000) and the Maine State Housing Authority ($300,000).

Anson residents Daniel and Katrina Allen, and their two young children, were the first beneficiaries of this unique program. To make the necessary improvements to their mobile home, which suffered a leaking roof, mold, and unsafe electrical wiring, the Allens would have had to deplete all of their resources. Funds from the RSCRHP has enabled them to replace their sub-standard home with a new, 3-bedroom ranch. Now when it rains, they don't have to leave home.

Recently, Commissioner Steven Levesque presented RSCRHP with the highly coveted DECD Community Service Award.

For more information contact Edward Stevens, Jr. at (207) 859-1622 or eds@kvcap.org.

Photo of home prior to work under the Replacement Housing program	Photo of home after work under the Replacement Housing program