Rumford Group Homes (RGH) recently celebrated the opening of Pinewoods Supportive Housing in Norway, Maine. Pinewoods will address the needs of 18-25 year old Oxford County youths who are homeless with a disability. This includes single individuals, couples and families, and pregnant or parenting single mothers.

Funding for the four-unit apartment complex in the amount of $250,000 was provided through HUD's Continuum of Care, MaineHousing, Maine Region II Homeless Council and a private foundation.

The major goals of the program are to help families/individuals maintain and sustain safe and affordable housing, secure a stable income and work on issues that may have led to homelessness. Children will attend the local school district.

The ultimate goal for all clients living in the apartment complex is to move closer to independent living and maintain permanent housing. Permanent housing can be at Pinewoods, where the length of stay is indefinite, or in another permanent housing setting of their choice, such as homeownership. Staff will work with participants with these goals in mind.

Local and state officials open the doors of Pinewoods Supportive Housing complex.

Nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, Rumford Group Homes, Inc. (http://www.rumfordgrouphomes.org/) is a nonprofit social service agency that serves abused, homeless and mentally ill children and adolescents.

Visit HUD's website to learn more about the Continuum of Care Supportive Housing program.