nrcshhm-National Directory of Home Modification Resources-Maine

Welcome to your state/community home modification forum. This forum has been created to give you an opportunity to learn about and contribute to your state's home modification profile.

Where to Get Help:

There are several ways to modify and repair your home. You can: 1) do it yourself, or get a friend or relative to help; 2) hire a handyman or contractor; 3) contact a home modification and repair program. In addition to the programs listed in the Directory, programs can be located through your:

Local area agency on aging
State department on aging
State housing finance agency
Department of public welfare
Department of housing and community development
Senior center Independent living center

Also, consider taking these steps:

Get recommendations from friends who have had similar projects completed.
Hire a licensed and bonded contractor. Be specific about changes you wish to make in advance.
Ask for a written agreement with only a small down payment. Make the final payment only after the project is completed.
Check with your local better business Bureau regarding the contractor's or program's reliability and performance record.

Other Resources:

The NeighborWorks® network is a national network of 220 community-based organizations that helps low- and moderate-income families rent, purchase, and maintain safe, affordable homes. The NeighborWorks® network also revitalizes communities through resident leadership and private and public partnerships.

To locate NeighborWorks® network partner that might offer assistance with home modifications, visit www.nw.org and click on Network Directory. Type in the CITY and select the STATE, then click on ORGANIZATION SEARCH. You can also try calling the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation at (202) 220-2300.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Some local housing agencies utilize portions of their CDBG program to pay for various kinds of home modifications. To contact your local CDBG grantee, call the US Department of Housing and Urban Development at (202) 708-1112.

On the website, click on a state to view contact information for the CDBG grantee in that area.

Auburn

Community Concept-Auburn
Contact Person	Resource Coordinator
Address	79 Main St. Auburn, ME 04210
Phone Number	207-795-4065, 207-795-4007
Fax	207-645-3270
Special Features	* Administers Section 8 housing, * DEAP, * Electric and phone subsidies * Emergency/transitional housing * Self-help housing * Loan program for small businesses *Provides outreach programs and other miscellaneous services

Augusta

Kennebec Valley Community Action Program-Augusta
Contact Person	David Gilpatrick
Address	219 Cony Road Augusta, ME 04330
Phone Number	207-622-4761 Ext.3(housing)
Fax	207-877-8562
Special Features	Offers: * Energy assistance * Home weatherization * Home repair * Tax, rent refund programs * Transportation * Food assistance * Other community programs.

Bangor

Eastern Agency on Aging
Contact Person	Deb Chapman
Contact Title	Director of Community Services
Address	450 Essex St. Bangor, ME 04401
Phone Number	207-941-2865
Email	dchapman@eaaa.org

Belfast

Waldo County Committee for Social Action
Address	PO Box 130 Belfast, ME 04915
Phone Number	207-338-6809
Fax	207-338-6812
Homepage	www.wccsa.org
Special Features	* Energy assistance * Home weatherization or repair * Tax and rent refunds * Transportation * US Agriculture Food Distribution.

Brunswick

Neighbors Inc.
Contact Person	Cathy Bagdon
Contact Title	Manager
Address	PO Box 728 Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone Number	207-725-9444
Primary target population	Everyone
Special Features	In-home case management
Special Features II	* Handle correspondences * Check houses * Read aloud * Forward mail
Type of Services	Liaison

Houlton

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians-Housing Authority
Contact Person	Phil Quint, Housing Improvement Director
Address	88 Bell Rd Littleton, ME 04730
Phone Number	207-532-4273 207-532-0972
Primary target population	Everyone
Special Features	* Administrative services * Organizes housing improvement and education.
Special Features II	Offers housing assistance and home improvement.

Leeds

Rural Community Action Ministry
Contact Person	Ron Dubuc
Contact Title	Housing Director
Address	81 Church Hill Road Leeds, ME 04263
Phone Number	207-524-5095
Email	rcam98@ctel.net
Primary target population	Low-income, elderly, disabled, and homebound people.
Type of Services	Support

Lewiston

Seniorsplus(AAA)
Contact Person	Eloise Moreau
Contact Title	Executive Director
Address	465 Main St. PO Box 659 Lewiston, ME 4243
Phone Number	207-795-4010
Fax	207-795-4009
Homepage	www.aoa.dhhs.gov
Primary target population	Over 60, and those under 60 that are disabled.
Type of Services	* Community outreach services * Meals on wheels/Community dining facilities * Grocery delivery/Nutrition/Social Svcs. for elderly Information referral Home repair/handy men * Providing non-Medicaid medical transportation.

Milbridge

Washington Hancock Community Agency-Housing Services
Contact Person	Mary Boylan
Contact Title	Division Assistant
Address	Corner of Main and Maple Streets PO Box 280 Milbridge, ME 04658
Phone Number	207-546-7544
Fax	207-546-3216
Email	mboylan@whcacap.org
Homepage	www.whca.org
Special Features	Provides and improves the housing stock of the region so that it meets the health and safety of its residents as well as housing quality standards.
Special Features II	Provides energy conservation, home stretch, new and repaired home construction, and home preservation grants.

Washington-Hancock Community Action Program
Contact Person	Mary Boylan
Contact Title	Division Assistant
Address	PO Box 280 Milbridge, ME 4658
Phone Number	207-546-7544 ext.325
Fax	207-546-3216
E-mail	mboylan@whcacap.org
Homepage	www.whcacap.org
Primary target population	Low-income homeowners.
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Ramps and grab bars.
Funding Source(s)	Federal grants
Type of Services	* Lead testing * Small grant for accessibility * Heating * Weatherization.
Cost to Client	Free

Rumford

Community Concepts Inc.-Rumford
Address	100 York Street Rumford, ME 4276
Phone Number	207-364-3685
Special Features	* Administers Section 8 housing * DEAP * Electric and phone subsidies * Emergency/transitional housing * Self-help housing * Loan program for small businesses, etc.
Special Features II	Housing preservation grants, Medicaid medical, transportation drivers, substance abuse evaluations.

Sanford

York County Community Action Corporation
Contact Person	Marilyn Marlowe
Contact Title	Assistant Director
Address	11 Cottage Street PO Box 72 Sanford, ME 04073
Phone Number	207-324-5762
Fax	207-490-5026
Date established	1993
Primary target population	Low-Moderate income as defined by HUD.
No. of persons served/year	75
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, grab bars, and ramps.
Funding Source(s)	Federal, state and private donations.
Special Features	Eligibility: must fall within federal poverty guidelines for total household income.
Special Features II	Provides advocacy, case management, crisis intervention, hunger prevention, electricity lifeline, housing preservation loans, weatherization, heating systems repair, etc.
Cost to Client	Loan pay back, grants are free.
Type of Services	Home repair grant/loan program, referrals.

Building Materials Exchange-Sanford
Contact Person	Kathleen Scott
Contact Title	Program Director
Address	148 Main Street Sanford, ME 04073
Phone Number	207-324-4574
Funding Source(s)	Bank donations.
Special Features	Helps low-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes to meet safety, decency, and sanitary standards.
Cost to Client	25% retail fee

Scarborough

Fix-it Program
Contact Person	Heather Brown
Contact Title	Coordinator
Director Manager	Ken Murray
Address	136 US Route One Scarborough ME 04074-9055
Email	kmurry@smaaa.org
Sponsor	Southern Maine Agency on Aging
Primary target population	60+
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of persons served/year	100
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Minor home repair, grab bars & the occasional ramp.
Type of Assessment	Assesses the needs of the client and gives information.
Provides Education/Training	Safety issues; provides information on home modifications.
Total Budget	$20,000
Funding Source(s)	* AoA * Grants * Fundraising & Donations

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Skowhegan

Kennebec Valley Community Action Program-Skowhegan
Address	26 Mary St. Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone Number	207-474-8487
Special Features	Offers: * Energy assistance * Home weatherization * Home repair * Tax * Rent refund programs * Transportation * Food assistance * Other community programs.

South Paris

Community Concepts Inc.-South Paris
Contact Person	Mary Lou St. John
Contact Title	Executive Manager
Address	Market Square; PO Box 278 South Paris, ME 4281
Phone Number	207-743-7716
Fax	207-743-6513
E-mail	mlstjohn@communityconcepts.org
Special Features	* Administers Section 8 housing * DEAP * Electric and phone subsidies * Emergency/transitional housing * Self-help housing * Loan program for small businesses.
Special Features II	Housing preservation grants, Medicaid medical, transportation drivers, substance abuse evaluations.

South Portland

ALPHA ONE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Contact Person	Denis Pratt, Architect on staff
Address	127 Main St. South Portland, ME 04106
Phone Number	(207) 767-2189
Homepage	www.aphaonenow.com
Primary target population	All Maine residents
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	20%
No. of paid staff	50 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Entrance access, roll-in shower, kitchen modification
Type of Assessment	Functional/Environmental
Assessor(s)	Client Occupational therapist
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Funding Source(s)	Client payments Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging Targets clients statewid
Special Features	* Conducted a two hour television seminar on accessibility to seven sites in Maine over a university television system

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Wiscasset

PWD CHIME
Contact Person	Steve Hoad
Contact Title	Project Coordinator
Address	P.O. Box 268 Wiscasset, ME 04572
Phone Number	207-882-7552
Fax Number	207-882-4457
Email	psh@ceimaine.org
Homepage	www.ceimaine.org
Primary target population	People with disabilities and those serving them.
No. of paid staff	1
Special Features	This program was developed to coordinate and disseminate information, as well as create access to information and referrals to other programs around the state to assist in home modifications and other housing questions.
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Provides Education/Training	Coastal Enterprises Inc can provide homeownership education and individual counseling, and is HUD certified.
Funding Source(s)	Grants, donations
Budget	$20,500