Peaks Home Start
Working to Create Affordable Housing on Peaks Island since 2006
Our Mission
Home Start is dedicated to increasing the supply of year-round affordable housing on Peaks Island as a means of promoting a mix of ages, incomes, and family structures for a healthy and sustainable island community. Home Start is 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
UPDATE - GREAT NEWS!!
Home Start has now closed on our purchase of 18 Central Avenue!!
On June 27th, 2024, the deed was recorded at the Cumberland County Registry. We are so ready to move forward!!
We are now in discussion with Maine State Housing and Backyard ADU to restart the financing and construction planning activities. Those updates will be posted as they are available.
We truly appreciate the incredible, ongoing support of the Peaks Island community and know that your good wishes and generous donations are providing the continued momentum for this project!!
Photo: Home Start President, Betsey Remage-Healey, and legal counsel, Brenda Buchanan, celebrate at closing!
Home Start featured in the September 2023 Working Waterfront! Read the full story here…
The Future!
18 Central Avenue
Home Start won the bid through the City of Portland to acquire the former Parish Hall building at 18 Central Avenue for the amount of back taxes. Several configurations were considered, but ultimately the decision was to place 3 pre-fabricated units on the original footprint of the hall rather than renovate the building. The team is working with Backyard ADUs out of Brunswick, Maine.
The units will include these special features :
- solar heat and electricity at no costs to tenants
- all units handicapped accessible
- private entrances
- washer/dryer in each unit
- extra storage
The central location of the build site is extremely convenient with its proximity to the Peaks Island library, stores, restaurants and ferry landing.
For more information about the planned activities and projected timeline for 18 Central, please go here.
Our community fund-raising goal of $165K has been reached! Thank you so much to the Peaks Island community and to the friends of Home Start, far and wide!
But the work continues - even with the completion of 18 Central, affordable housing on Peaks remains at a minimum and Home Start is continuing its efforts to find Island properties suitable for our next projects.
We are deeply grateful for your ongoing generous support of Home Start!
Our Community Fundraising Goals
A young family takes ownership of the property at 18 Luther Street. A Home Start success story!