Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Maine has one of the country's highest numbers of fatal drug overdoses in the country and a continuing rise in homelessness among women, families and children. Substance use disorder, poverty and homelessness connect all too often and set the stage for generational barriers to healthy and productive lives. Fortunately for Maine women and mothers in recovery, there is an effective housing and comprehensive program that employs evidenced-based strategies for these families with over a decade of remarkable outcomes. The McAuley Residence provides a comprehensive two-generation program with housing for families affected by substance use disorders who have often been impacted by co-occurring mental illness, domestic abuse, generational poverty, sex trafficking, and other traumas. It is the only housing program in Maine for mothers in recovery with a focus on reunification with their children. While participating in the program, women receive extensive support services to ensure they remain housed, receive the healthcare they require, build skills they will need to thrive in the workplace, and be a supportive parent. Community Housing of Maine, Inc. currently owns and maintains properties in Portland and Bangor that provide housing and programming space for the participants in the McAuley Residence. Portland and Bangor are the largest population centers in the state of Maine. Expanding to new locations in more rural parts of the state will significantly extend the reach of the program and ensure that individuals who would benefit from participation will not be required to relocate a great distance to find housing and receive care. Community Housing of Maine, Inc. will apply Congressionally Directed Spending Funds to the construction of four new recovery residences to expand the McAuley Residence’s reach and provide services to more rural areas in the state. The four new residences will be located in Somerset County, Aroostook County, Knox County and Oxford County. The buildings are designed to meet the needs of residents of the program. Each residence will consist of 10 units, an office space, kids play area, community kitchen, laundry room and learning space. This design will allow for interaction and community-building amongst tenants while also providing enough independence to prepare them to transition out of the program. Congressionally Directed Spending will fund the construction of these four rural McAuley Residences. Funds from the State of Maine have been made available for the acquisition of the properties. The John T. Gorman Foundation, a longtime funder and supporter of McAuley Residence, will fund ongoing services and operations. Community Housing of Maine will operate and maintain the properties in perpetuity to ensure that they provide homes that communicates dignity and respect to tenants and the surrounding community. With 8-10 units per project, 32-40 families will directly benefit from the housing and comprehensive support services to be provided at the four new locations. While there is no limit on the amount of time an individual can remain in the program, participants typically stay for an average of 20 months. Therefore, the number of individuals impacted by the program will continue to grow over time.
