MAINE

STATE 2004 Annual Report

HOUSING
AUTHORITY
Dear Governor Baldacci and Superintendent LaFountain
Former Governor Kenneth Curtis, whose administration created the Maine State
Housing Authority, said it best:
“The two accomplishments of my administration that have had the greatest impact
on Maine people are the creation of School Administrative Districts and the creation
of the Maine State Housing Authority. Both have created new opportunities for
the people of Maine for the past 35 years.”
Curtis, who grew up in rural Maine, saw firsthand the effects poverty, poor housing,
and the lack of educational opportunities had on Maine people. He has since
witnessed how MSHA and the school districts have improved the lives of thousands
of people.
This year’s annual report celebrates some of the housing authority’s significant
accomplishments since its creation in 1969, and its accomplishments during 2004.
Over its history MSHA has evolved to meet the changing housing needs of Maine:
— Since the mid-1980’s the agency has played a significant role in financing
homes for first-time homebuyers in the state.
— MSHA developed its own rental housing production program to replace
the federal rental production program that terminated in the mid-1980’s.
— MSHA took over operating the heating assistance and weatherization
programs for low income Maine households.
— MSHA is addressing such different housing issues as housing for
people with special needs, including people who are homeless and people
with mental illness.
— MSHA developed a program to finance repairs to homes of low income
households and to make homes safe from lead paint hazards.
— On a broader scale, MSHA is informing Maine people of the
problems of sprawl and NIMBYism, while promoting revitalization
of community downtowns.
Maine and MSHA face difficult challenges ahead. Housing budgets are being
cut while the need for more affordable housing grows. We will become even
more efficient to meet these challenges and continue to exceed even Governor
Curtis’s expectations.
— Dale McCormick
Director
Maine State Housing Authority
Message to the people of Maine
from Governor John E. Baldacci

When the Maine State Housing Authority was created, the first Director appointed
was former State Treasurer, Eben Elwell. Some 35 years later, I am honored to * Neil Armstrong
steps out of
appoint another State Treasurer, Dale McCormick, as the 10th MSHA Director. the Apollo 11
lunar craft and onto
I’m confident that Dale will continue in the tradition of past MSHA Directors the surface of the moon
and lead the agency forward, maintaining its status as one of the leading and most
innovative state Housing Finance Agencies in the country. MSHA helped Maine * Richard Nixon inaugurated President
become among the first states in the country to: * Agasoline
new car cost $2,000, and the
to run it is 32 cents a gallon

— create a state housing trust fund to address housing needs;

— finance housing for people who are homeless;
— adopt a strategic plan that makes eliminating homelessness a goal; and
— create more housing opportunities for our mental health consumers
and others with special needs.
Contents
MSHA 2004 At A Glance 2–3
Under Dale’s leadership, I expect that MSHA will work even more closely with
Homeownership 4–5
its partners in state government to address such issues as the revitalization of
Affordable Rental Housing 6–7
the downtown areas of our service center communities. I also expect that Maine
Reducing Homelessness 8–9
will become a leader in making housing more energy efficient, and that MSHA’s
Heating Assistance 10–11
housing initiatives will help Maine’s economic development growth.
Safer Housing 12–13
Maine has a bright future, and MSHA will play a pivotal role in it. I expect that Educational Programs 14–15
MSHA will accomplish even more going forward than it has in the past 35 years. Supportive Housing 16–17
* Inthousands
Woodstock, New York, tens of
of young people gather
for four days of fun and music
* And in Maine the Legislature
enacts a law creating the
Maine State Housing
Authority. That legislation
would forever improve
housing opportunities for
the low and moderate
income people of Maine
Median
House
Price:
$12,800

— John E. Baldacci
Governor
1969 1
 Financial Summary
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands of dollars)

BALANCE SHEET 2004 2003

Assets
Cash and investments $567,387 $663,195
Mortgage and other notes receivable 1,078,987 1,119,125
Other assets 23,952 24,525
Total Assets $1,670,326 $1,806,845
* First running of the New York
City Marathon
Liabilities
Deferred income $33,450 $30,176
Mortgage bonds payable 1,329,010 1,487,281
* Beatles break up Other liabilities 53,686 45,130
Total Liabilities $1,416,146 $1,562,587
* The Ford Pinto is introduced Total Net Assets $254,180 $244,258
* Computer
introduced
floppy disks are Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,670,326 $1,806,845

REVENUES AND EXPENSES

* 4 protesting students at Kent State
are shot and killed
Operating Revenues
Interest from mortgages and notes $68,631 $80,502
Income from investments 11,691 7,694
* Maine Supreme Court Grants and subsidies 127,124 115,672
upholds MSHA’s right to sell
Other 7,121 6,309
tax-exempt bonds without Total Revenues $214,567 $210,177
pledging credit of the state
Operating Expenses
of Maine
Operating expenses $18,777 $18,130
Median Provision for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate (1,100) 500
House Interest expense 63,204 73,202
Price: Grants and subsidies 123,764 122,081
$13,104 Total Expenses $204,645 $213,913
Total Operating Income (Expenses) $9,922 $(3,736)

2
1970 This page is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to present a complete financial picture of MSHA.
For more information, please request a copy of the audited financial statements.
How Maine Builds Affordable Housing All Numbers for 2004

State of Maine U.S. Congress

MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY (MSHA)

$14.96m Housing & Energy Services $121.5m $2.3m Housing Finance Agency $1.3b

MSHA Allocates MSHA MSHA Sells Bonds

Federal Housing Allocates
& Energy Tax Credits
Bond Holders
Service Funds to Developers
Purchase Bonds Bond Payments * Pocket calculators are introduced

MSHA * M*A*S*H T.V. show premieres

Governor/
Legislature
$.46m Housing Homeless $4.2m Tax
Mortgage
Payments Loans
Mortgage
Payments
* Mark Spitz wins seven gold medals

Weatherize, Repair,
and Replace Homes
$2.8m
Credits

Financial
* The Broadway production of the
musical Hair closes after 1,752
Developers Investors Developers performances
Heating Assistance $27.0m Institutions

Rental Assistance

Lead Paint Remediation

$77.0m

$2.2m
(Upfront $$ to
Build Housing)
Construction
$$
Rents * Richard Nixon and Leonid
Brezhnev sign SALT I treaty in
Moscow (including Anti-Ballistic
Electric Rate Construction Mortgage
$8.0m Electrical Energy Loans Missile Treaty)
Payers $$ Payments
Conservation

Energy Research
and Development
$0.9m * First MSHA bond sale:
$20 million

or Median
First-time Affordable
House
Affordable Affordable
Single-Family Apartments Home Buyers Apartments Price:
Homes $15,496

1972
Real Estate
$6.5m Additional Subsidies $7.35m Subsidy to Lower Subsidy to
Transfer Tax Subsidy to
to Make Rents Rents & Mortgage Lower Mortgage
Lower Rents
3
Affordable Payments Payments
 Helping Maine people become homeowners
MSHA helps Maine families buy their first homes MSHA helps MSHA has MSHA helps
1,000+ one of lowest rejuvenate
MSHA has been helping provide homes for Maine families almost annually mortgage downtowns
from its beginning. In the early years MSHA’s role was to purchase rates ever
In most years MSHA has MSHA’s New Neighbors
existing loans from banks, increasing the supply of housing mortgage helped from 1,000 to over option offers incentives
MSHA offered among the
capital in the state and allowing banks to make new home loans.
* After 84 days in space, the crew of
the American space station Skylab
2,000 families achieve
the American Dream by
lowest interest rates in
the history of its standard
such as 100 percent
financing, and a waiver
returns to Earth Starting in the early 1980’s MSHA became more active in help- buying a home. Overall, home purchase program of the first-time home-
MSHA has helped more in 2004—4.75 percent for buyer requirements, for
ing low and moderate income families purchase homes, especially
* Patty Hearst is kidnapped after the federal government restricted the financing to first-
than 42,000 families
become homeowners.
most of the year. The low borrowers purchasing
homes in designated
interest rates, coupled
* Happy Days premieres on ABC time homebuyers. The state HOME fund provided a source of with the Maine Assist neighborhoods.

subsidy that MSHA could combine with its housing bonds to options that provide
* The Universal Product Code (UPC)
label is used for the first time to ring borrowers a grant of up
Encouraging home-
ownership in these
offer low interest rates and low down-payment requirements for to $5,000 towards the
up purchases at a supermarket neighborhoods is one
working families. downpayment and way to help revitalize
* Watergate scandal makes headlines closing costs of their
home, helped 1,125
the center of Maine
communities. In 2004,
* Stephen King’s Carrie is released Maine people purchase MSHA expanded its
their first home in 2004. New Neighbors option
* MSHA finances its first
homeownership loans to enable more commu-
nities to participate.

Median
House
Price:
$18,616

4
1974
Homeownership
Celeste LaJoie is a single mother who fled an abusive relationship
after eight years with only the clothes on her back and her son,
Jake. Without a job or any other security, homelessness loomed. * Arthur
Ashe is
But instead, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program helped her the first
become a homeowner. When she first qualified for the program, black man to
Celeste was unemployed, so she was eligible for a subsidized win Wimbledon
apartment for only $13 per month rent. After she found work,
the rent increased proportionally to her income, with a percentage * Microsoft is founded
automatically placed in a savings account for the down payment
for her eventual home. * Rembrandt’s painting “The Night
Watch” is slashed a dozen times
at a gallery in Amsterdam
The program’s greatest gift, according to LaJoie, was not the
subsidized housing, but how it enabled her to help herself.
The LaJoies moved into their 100-year-old home two weeks before
* Pol Pot becomes the Communist
dictator of Cambodia
Christmas in 2001. Every time they pull into the driveway of their
home, they say, “Home home home, hooray hooray hooray— * Saturday Night Live is broadcast
for the first time
you better believe it!”

* MSHA is the first agency in

the country to link federal
Section 8 housing program
with new construction of
elderly housing

Median
House
Price:
$19,693

1975 5

* Mount St. Helens erupts
* MSHA finances first group
home for people with
developmental disabilities
and makes first energy loans
1980
* The Vietnam Memorial is built
in Washington D.C.
* Late Night with David Letterman
debuts on NBC at 12:30 A.M.
after The Tonight Show
* Legislature appropriates
first funding for MSHA
programs and creates
Housing Opportunity for
Maine (HOME) fund
6
1982
Helping low income families and seniors
with affordable apartments
Median
House MSHA established to acquire federal Record rental housing production in 2004
Price: housing funds
$34,342 In 2004, MSHA had a record $184 million worth of apartment
The Legislature created MSHA partly to provide a vehicle to accept housing in its financing pipeline. The funding will create 1,600
federal funds for low income apartments. During the early 1970’s,
the federal government developed the Section 8 New Construction
and Substantial Rehabilitation program. Housing developed under
apartments and responds to many of Maine’s housing needs, such as:
Workforce housing,
which contributes to
Building affordable
housing generates
Creating affordable
apartments above
this program was privately owned, but the federal government has Maine’s economic economic activity. stores revitalizes
growth. For every 1,000 According to the National downtowns and
subsidized rents for eligible tenants for 30 years. new jobs, a region needs Association of Home preserves historic
700 new apartments. Builders, each 1,000 buildings. Several
This became MSHA’s major housing production program through Even with the planned units of new rental developments are in
the early 1980’s. It created over 160 developments with more than units, Maine needs more housing constructed community downtowns
5,000 apartments for Maine renters. housing to sustain its generates 1,030 jobs, and contribute to their
growing economy. A
shortage of affordable
over $33 million in
wages, and nearly $18
rejuvenation. Some
projects involve
MSHA develops its own rental housing programs million in federal, state, restoration and
The federal government stopped the Section 8 program in the early
rental housing makes it
difficult for businesses to
hire workers, or require
and local taxes and fees. conversion of historic
properties, such as
Affordable housing
1980’s, leaving no federal program to create new low income rental workers to undertake old schools, to housing.
keeps Maine youth
housing. MSHA developed a state program instead, using its bonds
long commutes.
from leaving the
state. Affordable
Creating affordable
apartments within
and subsidy from the newly created state HOME Fund. Later the housing and jobs are communities reduces
Median
House federal government re-entered the low income rental market with keys to attracting sprawl. It reduces the
Price: block grants through the federal HOME Partnership Act and the young workers. need to build new homes
$36,889 on the outskirts, or in
Low Income Housing Tax Credit. neighboring rural areas,
both of which contribute
to sprawl.
Affordable Rental Housing
With three children ranging from six months to ten years old,
Timothy and Liz Gray felt overcrowded and overwhelmed
* PG-13 movie
rating is created
in their two-bedroom apartment, but they knew that three-
bedrooms were hard to find in the Bangor area. When they * Indira Gandhi, India’s
Prime Minister, is killed by
heard about Penquis Family Housing, a 16-unit development two bodyguards
of affordable rental housing designed especially for people
like them, the Grays applied right away. * MSHA brings issue of
homelessness to public’s
Median
The new apartment, which they moved into in May, is attention and funds first
House
situated in a quiet family community, unlike the previous Price: emergency shelter
complex where the Gray children were often awakened by $46,768
the young college students who lived in the adjoining
apartments. Now, the Gray parents have plenty of space for
the entire family, and expect to raise their family happily at
Penquis for years to come.
1984
* Wreck of the Titanic is found
* Top song is “We Are the World”
by USA for Africa

* Legislature approves HOME

Fund as a continuing program
to be funded with portion of
Median state’s Real Estate Transfer
House
Price: Tax revenue
$52,619

1985 7
 Helping people who are homeless
MSHA is a recognized leader in addressing MSHA continues to fund both emergency housing
homeless issues and permanent housing for homeless individuals
and families in 2004. During the year MSHA:
The Maine State Housing Authority was one of the first state housing
finance agencies in the country to recognize the growing problem of Secured a federal Provided homeless Provided more than $2
Continuum of Care grant shelters with over $1.6 million to shelters for
homelessness, and was among the leaders when it helped finance its
* Supernova 1987a is observed,
the first “naked-eye” supernova first emergency shelter in 1984. During the 1980’s and early 1990’s,
for Maine for a record
amount of $3,886,959.
million of repair funds
through the federal
operating support and
to help pay for shelter
since 1604 prior to federal programs addressing the homeless issue, MSHA used Most of the funds will Emergency Shelter staff salaries.
be used to provide long Grants program and
its own resources to finance emergency shelters, including housing Provided nearly $1.5
* New York Stock Exchange suffers
a huge drop on “Black Monday” for victims of domestic violence.
term housing for an MSHA funding for
million to develop new
estimated 217 homeless life safety repairs
long term supportive
households, including and accessibility
* West German pilot lands un-
challenged in Russia’s Red Square MSHA sets goal to eliminate homelessness some homeless mental improvements.
housing for homeless
people and families.
health consumers.
Created long term
DNA first used to convict criminals
* In 2000, MSHA adopted a goal of eliminating homelessness by The grant also funds
the Maine Homeless
housing for about
creating more permanent housing. Since then: 150 homeless people
* MSHA finances improvements
to apartments to make them
Management Information
System, a computer
through the $800,000
MSHA has provided Led by MSHA, Maine MSHA’s homeless federal Rental Assis-
accessible to persons with over $13 million in fin- became the first state efforts won the 2004 system linking emer-
tance Coupon Plus
physical disabilities ancing for permanent in the country to National Council gency shelters.
(RAC+) program.
housing for homeless adopt a strategic plan of State Housing
people, creating 182 aimed specifically at Agencies award for
housing units. At the same eliminating home- the best program in
Median
time it has continued to lessness. MSHA has the country providing
House
Price: provide financing to also drafted an action housing to people with
$75,286 emergency homeless plan that will put the special needs.

1987
shelters for operating strategic plan to work.
expenses, repairs, life
safety, and accessibility
8 improvements.
 * Berlin Wall
falls

* Exxon Valdez
spills millions of
gallons of oil on Alaska’s coastline

* Seinfeld premieres on NBC

* Students massacred in China’s

Tiananmen Square
Reducing Homelessness
* Nintendo releases its popular
handheld video game player,
Homelessness has many causes, but each story is unique. Game Boy
Brenda Morrisette left a volatile relationship, lost her job, and
fell into a deep depression in April 2004. She and her son * U.S. President Bush announces that
he doesn’t like broccoli
moved into the Bread of Life shelter, but that wasn’t a long-
term solution. After twelve weeks in the shelter, Brenda was
offered a place in a program reducing homelessness funded
* For the first time Maine
voters approve use of state
by the Maine State Housing Authority. General Obligation bonds for
The program provides subsidized housing and support, in-
affordable housing initiatives
cluding job counseling and other assistance. Its ultimate
object is to help the homeless become homeowners. Although Median
House
Morissette is still working toward that goal due to her ongoing
Price:
struggle with clinical depression, she is optimistic that she will $89,041

1989
soon be able to return to work and find her own home. In the
meantime, she is happy to care for her son Christopher, now
thirteen, and work in the garden.
9
 Making homes warmer and more energy efficient
MSHA takes over heating assistance and Governor Baldacci responds to rising fuel prices:
* Hubble telescope
launched into space weatherization programs creates Keep Maine Warm in 2004

* The first known web page is written In 1991, the Maine State Housing Authority took on a whole In December of 2004, heating oil prices hit $2 a gallon in Maine,
Median new responsibility—providing federally-funded heating assistance 50 percent higher than in the previous year, creating a particular
* MSHA reaches $1 billion in
total assets
House
and weatherization services to low income seniors and families hardship for Maine’s low income senior homeowners. Governor
Price:
$87,207 throughout Maine. These programs were moved from a state agency John E. Baldacci wanted the state to respond, but facing a budget

1990
to MSHA in order to save money for Maine taxpayers.
31,000 homes have
been weatherized
since 1991 with
$78 million of MSHA
* Mikhail
financing. This has
Gorbachev receives the
increased their energy
1990 Nobel Peace Prize
efficiency and made
* South Africa repeals apartheid laws it less likely that the
owners will need
* The Baseball Hall of Fame votes to
ban Pete Rose
heating assistance.
* State transfers running
of heating assistance and
weatherization programs Median
House
to MSHA
Price:
$85,042
deficit, options were limited. MSHA was able to step forward to
Each $1 spent on Since 1991, MSHA lead the Keep ME Warm program by providing $150,000 of state
weatherization has distributed $217 housing trust fund money to purchase basic energy conservation
saves $6 in oil million in heating
kits. Volunteers — including the Governor — installed these kits
heating expenses. assistance, helping
in homes of about 1,600 seniors.
Based on that study, an average of 45,000
MSHA’s financing saved low-income house-
$468 million in heating holds each year. Governor Baldacci, Senator Olympia Snowe,
costs for Maine’s low
income homeowners,
Many of the recipients
are seniors. The heating
Senator Susan Collins, Representative Tom Allen,
and Representative Mike Michaud help secure
in addition to reducing
Maine’s dependence
assistance pays a portion
of their heating bill. the release of supplemental heating assistance
on foreign oil. money in 2004–05 for much needed relief of high
oil prices.
MSHA provided heating assistance to 47,000 low income households
during the 2004– 05 heating season.

10
1991
Heating Assistance Johnny Carson hosts The Tonight

* Show for the last time

Police acquitted in Rodney King

*
As a parent, watching your children shiver because you can’t afford to pay your
rising heating bills is heart-wrenching. June and Larry Torno, despite working hard beating, causing riots in Los Angeles
and economizing, found themselves in just this position when kerosene costs began
MSHA receives first allocation
skyrocketing in 2003. However, through the program Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC), June learned about the Maine State Housing Authority’s Heating
Assistance program.
Median
House
Price:
$84,740
* of funds under the new federal
Home Partnership program

With the heat turned up to a comfortable level, the entire family benefited. The
small amount of extra money allowed for other, neglected necessities, like the
repair of the family car. However, watching her two small children play comfortably
throughout the winter, June says, is the best part of the program. She also referred
her husband’s grandmother, who qualified for the program as well, and has also
enjoyed a warm and secure winter.
1992
Channel Tunnel opens,

* connecting Britain and France

O.J. Simpson is arrested for

* double murder

MSHA undertakes new

Median
House
* efforts to finance home
repairs for low income
families and seniors
Price:
$83,011

1994 11

* Steve Fossett becomes the first
person to make a solo flight across
the Pacific Ocean in a balloon
* The NASDAQ stock index closes
above the 1,000 mark for the first time
* Java programming language is
announced to the world
* Oklahoma City bombing tragedy
terrorizes country
* The oldest flute, made by Nean-
derthal people, found by Dr. Ivan Turk
in the cave Divje babe I in Slovenia
* MSHA finances its 25,000th
home for Maine working
families and adopts a strategic
plan for the future
12
1995
Creating safer, better homes for people
MSHA improves Maine’s old housing stock MSHA heads effort to make Maine homes safe
from lead paint hazards
Maine has among the oldest housing stock in the nation — much
of it owned by lower income households or seniors who are unable Starting in 1998, MSHA has funneled state and federal resources to
to afford needed repairs and lack the money to address safety issues make homes of low income people safe from dangers posed by lead
such as lead paint. In addition to making these homes more energy paint, specifically the danger of lead poisoning in children.
efficient, MSHA, over the years, has developed several home repair MSHA matched a A second HUD grant MSHA used its own
programs to help low income families make the homes safer and federal grant of $2.7 was secured in 2003 for funding in 2004 when
million with $1.3 million $2.1 million that MSHA it exhausted the federal
better. A major home repair effort in the late 1990’s improved of its resources to matched with $900,000 grant funds. MSHA is
more than 4,000 homes. address lead issues in for a total program fund- targeting the program
281 homes. MSHA also
led the way in training
ing of $3 million. MSHA
expects to make 170 or
to the estimated 58,000
older homes owned by
MSHA launches the Maine Home Repair
lead paint removal more homes lead safe. low income families who
Network—a new, cooperative home repair
program—in 2003
contractors, inspectors,
and technicians.
cannot afford to make
the needed repairs
themselves.
It combines funds from MSHA, the state Department of Economic
and Community Development, and the federal Rural Development
office. Maine’s Community Action Program agencies can select the
funding that best suits their clients’ needs for a particular project.
Median In 2004, the Maine Home Repair Network repaired more than
House 150 homes.
Price:
$83,613
 * Dolly the
sheep is
born—the
first mammal
to be successfully
cloned from an adult cell

* The Ramones play their last show

ever at Lollapalooza

* Chess computer Deep Blue defeats

Garry Kasparov for the first time

* Suspected “Unabomber” Theodore

Kaczynski is arrested at his
Safer Housing Montana cabin

Warren Goddard always thought that there was nothing he could do to improve his wretched * MSHA joins the world wide
living conditions, which included icy temperatures, black mold, frozen water pipes, and a web at mainehousing.org,
leaking and dripping roof. For 71 years, he ‘made-do’ in the circa-1800 farmhouse where he and becomes the first state-
was born, climbing on the roof in the winter to remove snow, and chopping an endless pile affiliated agency to be re-
of wood to keep the temperature just above freezing. cognized for its Commitment
to Excellence for total quality
Although he barely escaped a serious fire caused by his woodstove, Warren planned to move management
back home despite the $10,000 in damage he couldn’t afford to repair. However, Community Median
House
Concepts’ Safe Housing program, funded in part by Maine State Housing Authority, is
Price:
designed to help Mainers just like Warren. The program demolished the rickety farmhouse $86,121

1996
and built a modern home with basic amenities to ensure that heat and hot water are available
365 days a year. For the first time in his life, Warren can sleep late on wintry mornings in
peace and comfort.
13

* California bans smoking in all
restaurants and bars
* Mark McGwire and Sammy
Sosa’s home run race revives
the national pastime
* Tobacco companies settle with
states: Maine receives $50 million
per year as compensation for
healthcare costs
* Apple Computer unveils the iMac
* For the third straight year,
MSHA finances homes for
more than 2,000 of Maine’s
first-time homebuyers
14
1998
Informing and educating Maine people
about housing and housing issues
MSHA uses an array of communication methods In 2004, MSHA holds the 12th Governor’s Annual
to reach Maine people Affordable Housing Conference
Among the most important methods: Both the annual conference and annual report feature MSHA’s many
Annual report. MSHA The State of Maine’s Annual statewide partners that collaborate in order to bring the benefits of affordable
submits an audited Housing and various housing conference— housing to Maine people.
financial statement and other reports. the only statewide
an annual report every MSHA periodically conference on affordable MSHA also continued its close cooperation with the non-profit
year. These reports commissions or writes housing—plus other con-
hoMEworks organization, which provides a standard 10-hour home-
provide detailed reports that examine ferences focus attention
information on MSHA’s critical housing issues on housing needs. buyer education course. The course helps first-time homebuyers and
financial strength and in Maine.
Speaking oppor- others who may not be familiar with the home buying process or
highlight MSHA’s
Newsletters, tunities by MSHA’s what responsibilities a home owner faces.
accomplishments. Other
brochures, and other Director and other
notable reports are:
collateral material. members of the MSHA
In 2004, hoMEworks conducts 118 classes and
The state’s These provide general staff, including appear-
Consolidated Housing information about MSHA ances before Maine educates 2100 homebuyers in the art of buying
and Economic and housing in Maine. Legislative Committees and maintaining a home
Development plan that MSHA program guides considering legislation
MSHA submits to HUD provide information on affecting housing. Using In 2004, hoMEworks used a new grant to create a videotape of the
annually. The report, how to use a specific these forums, MSHA has
course. While hoMEworks encourages people to attend the classes,
developed after a series program. been able to direct
the video is available in cases where potential homebuyers are
of public meetings, public attention to such
Award-winning
Median outlines how MSHA social housing issues as unable to attend. People with mental or physical disabilities that
House internet site at www.
will use public funds to sprawl and the Not-In-
Price: mainehousing.org that make attending the classes impossible have used the video, which is
meet the identified state My-Back Yard (NIMBY)
$92,980 lists MSHA programs,
closed-captioned.
housing priorities. problem that make
and includes links to
developing affordable
many other housing
sites.
housing more difficult.
Educational Programs
Kathy Norris dreamed of owning her own home, yet she was unsure she could afford the
payments. When her landlord of 10 years decided to sell her building, she realized other rents
would be just as expensive as a mortgage, and decided it was time to purchase a house. However,
she wasn’t sure she knew enough to make a smart decision. When she heard about the Kennebec
Valley Community Action Program’s hoMEworks first-time homebuyer’s course, she signed up.

After the ten-hour course, Kathy found that she was much more confident that she knew how
to get the best financing, to decide whether a house was right for her, and to understand the
home inspection process. The course ensured that Kathy spent her home-shopping time wisely,
and she is currently waiting for the closing date on her new home. Kathy was joined in the class
by other people in similar situations and is pictured here with Sara Olmstead. * Euro currency is introduced
* Fear of Y2K bug looms
* Columbine tragedy takes front
page attention

* MSHA funds a comprehensive

study of Maine’s housing
and housing needs. The
State of Maine’s Housing
1999 report becomes the
focal point of the Governor’s
Annual Affordable Housing
Conference

Median
House
Price:
$98,859

1999 15
 * Faulty voting
machines throw
Helping people with special needs
Florida — and the
Presidential — MSHA is a leader in providing affordable These initiatives cover a broad range of people,
election into question supportive housing but generally include:

* Final original Peanuts comic strip

is published
During the 1980’s, there was a dramatic change in housing people Housing for children Housing for adults Housing for frail
with developmental with developmental seniors who do not
with mental illness, with mental retardation, and with special needs.
disabilities, who have disabilities such as need nursing home
MSHA starts overseeing the
* management of 3,000 units of
Large state institutions were closed, and the focus shifted to housing behavioral issues, or mental retardation, care, but are too frail
Median within the community with the appropriate services linked to their who are in the custody who have mental illness, to live completely on
affordable housing that used House of the state. who are homeless their own.
to be managed through HUD apartment or group home.
Price: (including victims of
$109,900 Housing for youths
MSHA began work- 300 homes for people MSHA invested domestic violence),
who have developmental
ing with non-profit with special needs more than $7 million or who have substance
disabilities, who have

2000 organizations and

others to finance
these apartments
in the late 1980’s
have been financed,
providing more
than 2000 beds or
apartments to address
of state Housing
Opportunities for
Maine (HOME) Fund
money in supportive
mental illness, who are
homeless, or who are
involved in the state’s
correctional system.
abuse issues. Many
adults fall into more
than one category.

through a variety of the housing require- housing initiatives.

programs, eventually
September 11, 2001, terrorists consolidated under the
* attack the World Trade Center and umbrella of MSHA’s
the Pentagon Supportive Housing
programs.
Under MSHA’s leadership
* Maine becomes the first state
to adopt a strategic plan to Median
House
eliminate homelessness Price:
$118.900
ments of people with During the past two
special needs. years, money from the
state HOME Fund was
used to create over
450 units and beds of
supportive housing for
Maine people who have
significant housing and
supportive services
needs.

16
2001
Hanging chad photo courtesy of Douglas W. Jones.
Supportive Housing * U.S. invasion of Afghanistan begins
Shalom House, with funding from the Maine State Housing Authority, is an organization
* MSHA mounts an effective
campaign to bring public
devoted to providing affordable housing where people can escape the stress of homelessness, attention to the Not-In-My-
hunger, and isolation. Once basic housing needs have been met, peoples’ lives can become Back-Yard (NIMBY) issue that
more stable. Median makes it more difficult to
House
Price: finance workforce housing
Crystal Spinney, 22, is grateful for the help that allowed her to move from transitional
$133,500
housing to independent living in the Shalom Apartments on Croquet Lane in Portland.
She loves her surroundings and her independence. Along with a subsidized one-bedroom
apartment in a complex of her peers, Crystal enjoys the availability of community support
resources for advocacy and coordination of services, which enable her to keep a good job
at St. Joseph’s Manor.
2002
Land troops from
* United States,
United Kingdom,
Australia and Poland
invade Iraq

* Maine voters approve

another General Obligation
bond for workforce housing,
bringing the total GO bonds
Median
House approved for housing to $20
Price: million since 2000
$150,000

2003 17
 Clary, Tinamarie Freeman, Kathleen King-Johnson, Debra McCormick, Dale Perry, Katherine Stanley, Barbara
2004 MSHA Staff Conroy, Robert
Coyne, Claudette
Fritz, Nancy
Gallagher, Allison
Kozma, Kathleen
Krea, Adam
McPherson, Lori
Merrill, Peter
Post, Kristin
Poulin, Kathleen
Stevens, Jodie
Sturk, Jane
Achramowicz, Joyce Brann, Barbara Crowley, Susan Gilbert, Judith Kuhl, William Mickles, Yvonne Pronovost, Jane Therrien, Gerald
Archer, Jan Breitner, Norman Cunningham, Warren Gill, Anthony Lander, Tina Murray, Laurie Ranslow, David Tibbitts, Scott
Baillargeon, Georgia Brennan, Daniel Darling, Mary Glover Jr., William Lavigne, Lisa Namer, Cynthia Reynolds, Jill Tondreau, Beatrice
Baker, Donna Brown, Darren Dechaine, Laurie Grady, Monica LeVasseur, Joel Nichols, Alan Ricker, Gerrylynn Towle Jr., Daniel
Bean, Margaret Brown, Maureen Deprey, Susan Hallowell, Susan Levesque, Lisa Olsen Jr, Bill Robbins IV, Robert Townsend, Diane
Belanger, Pamela Campbellton, Gloria Donahue, Thomas Hashem, Julie Locke, Joseph Paradis, Denise Rogers, Linnea Trundy, Anya
Berube, Patricia Carroll, Judith Doxey, Katherine Hersom, Jo Mace, Shannon Pare, Anne Rollins, Jody Tuttle, Dennis
Boardman, Jennifer Cary, Thomas Drost, Daniel Jenkins, William Mansir, Elizabeth Parker, Grace Rose, Kevin Uhl, Linda Sears
Bondeson, Roger Champagne, Karen Dute, Victoria Johnson, Debra Marcoux, Bobbie Jo Parks, Brhaun Russell, Wayne Wade, Mary
Bonsant, Wendy Choate, Jo-Ann Ecker, Paula Johnson, Lori Marlowe, Todd Partridge, Tina Schoenherr, David Weber, Paula
Boston, Kelley Churchill, Rick Ellis, Ellen Jones, Rita Marsh, Edward Patenaude, Louise Simpson, Daniel Weed, Kimberly
Bourrie, Sandra Clark, Cynthia Fecteau Jr., Norman Kinch, Kathy Martin, Michael Pelton, Lois Snell Jr., Bradford Whitley, Jane
Bradstreet, BJ Clark, Linda Ferenc, Kim King, Robert McBride, Gail Perry, Brenda Spencer, Megan Winslow, Martha
Maine State Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, or familial status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. MSHA will provide appropriate communication auxiliary aids and
services to persons with disabilities upon sufficient notice. MSHA will also provide this document in alternative formats upon sufficient notice. MSHA has designated Jodie Stevens responsible for coordinating compliance with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination requirements. She can be reached at the below contact information.

Maine State Housing Authority

353 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330-4633

www.mainehousing.org
207-626-4600
1-800-452-4668
Fax 207-626-4678
TTY 1-800-452-4603