Former Maine shelter to be converted into affordable housing, address needs of homeless people
Former Maine shelter to be converted into affordable housing, address needs of homeless people WMTW Portland
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Avesta Housing Plans to Convert Former Homeless Shelter into Permanent Housing
Avesta Housing has reached an option agreement to purchase the former Oxford Street homeless shelter in Portland, with plans to transform it into permanent housing. The nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England aims to develop a mixed-income community on the 1/3 acre property, including Site-based Housing First and multifamily residential housing. The project is expected to consist of approximately 30 to 50 affordable apartments.
Site-based Housing First: A Cost-Effective Solution to Homelessness
Avesta Housing, in collaboration with Preble Street, has been at the forefront of providing Site-based Housing First homes for almost 20 years. Site-based Housing First offers a cost-effective and permanent solution to homelessness by providing safe, quality, and affordable housing with 24/7 supportive services. Unlike traditional programs, Site-based Housing First does not impose preconditions such as mandatory treatment programs or sobriety. Studies have shown that by removing these barriers, chronically homeless individuals have a greater chance of success and experience fewer encounters with law enforcement and emergency services.
Expanding Efforts to End Chronic Homelessness in Maine
Avesta Housing and Preble Street have previously collaborated on three Site-based Housing First properties in Maine: Logan Place (2005), Florence House (2010), and Huston Commons (2017). The success of these initiatives has prompted Avesta Housing to continue addressing chronic homelessness through the development of the Oxford Street property. Rebecca Hatfield, President and CEO of Avesta Housing, emphasized the urgent need for such services and expressed the organization’s commitment to ending homelessness throughout Maine. The Oxford Street development will provide dozens of safe, quality, and affordable homes to those in dire need.
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
This project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. By providing permanent housing and supportive services to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, Avesta Housing contributes to poverty eradication and ensures access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for all.
Conclusion
The conversion of the former Oxford Street homeless shelter into permanent housing by Avesta Housing represents a significant step towards ending chronic homelessness in Maine. Through their Site-based Housing First approach, Avesta Housing and Preble Street have demonstrated the effectiveness of providing safe and supportive housing without imposing preconditions. This project not only addresses the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness but also contributes to the broader goal of creating sustainable and inclusive communities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services.
- Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
- No specific indicators mentioned for SDG 17.17, but the collaboration between Avesta Housing and Preble Street can be seen as an example of a public-private partnership.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | No specific indicators mentioned, but the collaboration between Avesta Housing and Preble Street can be seen as an example of a public-private partnership. |
Note: The article does not provide specific data or statistics to measure progress towards the identified targets. The indicators mentioned are general indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the overall goals and targets.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wmtw.com
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